Mauldin battles back with roster spot up for grabs

Maybe Lorenzo Mauldin heard footsteps.

Amid whispers his roster spot could be in jeopardy, the third-year outside linebacker returned to Jets practice Thursday after battling nagging back issues off and on through training camp. With Jordan Jenkins entrenched at one outside linebacker spot, the other is up for grabs, with Mauldin, Freddie Bishop, rookie Dylan Donahue and Josh Martin candidates.

“It’s open,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “[Mauldin] has to get healthy and the other guys got to make plays. We’ll see the next two games who comes up with it.”

Nobody in particular has impressed Bowles. “They’ve all been playing well,” he said, “but they’ve all made their mistakes.”

It remains unlikely Mauldin — a third-round pick out of Louisville who has failed to make an impact in his first two seasons with the Jets, producing just 6.5 sacks in 26 games — will suit up Saturday against the Giants. But returning to practice was a positive step, especially since Bowles said earlier in the week Mauldin might need an epidural shot for his sore back.

“He moved around a little better today, so he’s getting better constantly,” the third-year head coach said. “We’ll just keep it day by day and see how he’s doing.”

Legendary Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko missed the cut — again. The Pro Football Hall of Fame seniors committee passed on Klecko. Instead, it named former Oilers linebacker Robert Brazile and former Packers offensive lineman Jerry Kramer as its senior finalists for the 2018 class. The 63year-old Klecko, a member of the Jets’ Ring of Honor, has been eligible for the Hall since 1994, but isn’t a modern era candidate any more. He played 12 seasons in the NFL, 11 with the Jets, and made four Pro Bowls.

TEs Jordan Leggett (sprained foot) and Jason Vander Laan (sprained shoulder) won’t play on Saturday, according to Bowles. RB Matt Forte (hamstring), who has practiced fully the past three days, will be a game-time decision.