Mims returns after a ‘bad’ COVID week
Denzel Mims is finally feeling better after a rough bout with COVID-19. Now he’s ready to get better on the field.
The Jets wide receiver returned to full practice this week for the first time since the first week of November. In between, he spent a week with body aches, vomiting and other symptoms of the virus, another week in quarantine waiting to test negative and then a third week getting his wind back. All of that came after Mims had finally started two straight games in what has been a disappointing sophomore season.
“It was tough,” Mims said Friday. “Actually getting in the lineup and then the following week I come up with COVID, that was just tough. It’s frustrating. But God got me. I’m just going to keep pushing forward. It’s all I can do.”
Mims, who is vaccinated, was grateful to be back on the field this week after a trying month both physically and mentally.
“COVID was bad for a week, but now I’m feeling good,” Mims said. “Hope everybody [is] wearing their masks because I don’t wish that on nobody.”
The Jets could certainly use him Sunday against the Eagles. Corey Davis returned to practice Friday in a limited fashion, but is listed as questionable with the groin injury that kept him out of last week’s win over the Texans. Fellow receiver Keelan Cole is also out after testing positive for COVID-19.
“He’s looked good,” head coach Robert Saleh said of Mims. “He’s got that big smile running around, a lot of energy. Looked like he had fresh legs. So we’re excited to get him out on the football field, give him an opportunity to make some plays.”
The last time Mims was on the field left a bad taste in his mouth. He was making his second straight start, stepping in for the injured Davis, and caught just one of five targets for 20 yards against the Colts on Nov. 4.
“I wasn’t happy with my performance,” the former secondround pick said. “I left a lot on the field. I can’t get myself down though. I just gotta keep moving forward.”
In particular, Mims was upset about an early drop that he admitted lingered with him throughout the game. But he pledged to keep moving on to the next play when he gets another chance Sunday.
“I feel like I let the first play bother me throughout the rest of the game,” Mims said. “When the second opportunity came, I wasn’t able to make the play. I just gotta be better, honestly. I’m going to be better.”