Amaro may lose out in tight race
PHILADELPHIA — Jace Amaro may have played his final game as a Jet.
The third-year tight end entered Thursday night’s preseason finale on the roster bubble and did not have a strong game. He had three catches for 24 yards, but also had a fumble and a dropped pass.
“He started [training camp] out fine and then he got banged up a little bit [and was] in and out,” coach Todd Bowles said. “He came in today and made a couple of catches here and there. We’ve got some tough choices to make.”
Kellen Davis is the Jets’ starter at the position. After that, it is Amaro, Zach Sudfeld and Brandon Bostick fighting for roster spots. The Jets kept just two tight ends last year and could do the same again this year. That would probably mean Amaro is a goner.
“I think that’s an interesting position for us,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said on the CBS game broadcast. “We feel it’s a competitive position. That’s probably the one that’s the most wide open. We’re going to have some interesting decisions to make.”
Amaro was taken in the second round of the 2014 draft by former general manager John Idzik after a productive college career, including 106 catches in his final year at Texas Tech. But he struggled as a rookie with drops and then missed last season with a shoulder injury.
Amaro seemed puzzled when asked about being on the roster bubble.
“I’ve never really been worried about making the team or not making the team,” he said. “I feel like I’ve played well enough in OTAs and in training camp. I got injured last week and missed a couple of practices, but other than that I feel like I’ve been pretty consistent on the practice field.”
RB Khiry Robinson, in his first action of the preseason, looked impressive, running hard, though yards were hard to come by behind the backup offensive line. He finished with 25 yards on 13 carries. He also had three catches for 18 yards.
Robinson signed with the Jets in March. He has been recovering from a broken leg he suffered last November with the Saints and has missed a lot of time because of that. The Jets are counting on him to be their third running back.
Ben Ijalana started at right tackle with Brent Qvale rotating in on every other series. The two are competing for the starting spot with Breno Giacomini dealing with a back issue that looks like it will keep him out of the beginning of the regular season.
The following players did not play with injuries: WR Kenbrell Thompkins (groin), CB Dexter McDougle (hamstring), CB Dee Milliner (hamstring), RB Dominque Williams (concussion), LB Jordan Jenkins (calf) and LB Bruce Carter (shoulder).
The Jets also listed LB David Harris (shoulder), WR Brandon Marshall (hip) and WR Quincy Enunwa (concussion) as out with injuries, but they would not have played anyway.