GAME OF CHANGE
Mims getting opportunity to fly with Gang Green's depleted receiver corps
Celebrate, Jets fans. Denzel Mims, the team’s second-round pick a year ago who has been inactive for the past two games, will play on Sunday, head coach Robert Saleh said on Friday before practice.
It only took injuries to two receivers ahead of him on the depth chart — Elijah Moore suffered a concussion during last week’s loss to the Broncos and a car accident Wednesday also left Jeff Smith with a concussion — to make it happen.
“He’s going to get some opportunities,” Saleh said. “Hopefully he takes advantage of it, and we’re expecting him to.”
The speedy 6-foot-3 Mims had become a hot topic on social media as the foundering Jets offense failed to score a touchdown the last two weeks. He was buried on the depth chart during training camp, received just three snaps in the season opener — he did produce a 40-yard catch in the loss to the Panthers — and was inactive the next two games, though Jets coaches talked up his improvement in practice.
Saleh, in his first year, previously said the reason was that Mims needed to learn all three receiver positions, a requirement for a nonstarter, and didn’t play on special teams. On Friday, Saleh backpedaled somewhat, saying Mims didn’t necessarily need to learn the slot receiver position because the Jets have so many options at that spot.
The Jets really don’t have a choice but to play Mims with Moore and Smith both out. The other option would’ve been to promote a receiver from the practice squad.
“He’s stacked up a third consecutive week of great, deliberate practice,” Saleh said. “He’s really getting comfortable within the offense. We’re excited to see him get his [opportunity] . ... Again, it’s gotten to the point where he doesn’t even need to talk to the coach anymore. He’s just on the football field, he’s getting himself lined up and you’re seeing the speed and the athleticism that he has. So, [it’s] just a matter of getting him those opportunities, taking it to Sunday and executing with his teammates and being the guy that we expect him to be.”
Mims refused to speak to reporters Friday and has not talked to the media since the first preseason game of the year, against the Giants.
Joining Mims will be Jamison Crowder, the Jets’ top receiver the past two seasons. Crowder tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the regular season opener and missed the past two games due to a groin injury. But he was able to practice all week and is expected to appear in his first game this season on Sunday.
“Just go out there and do what I do, go out there and try to make plays, be a valuable option for Zach [Wilson],” Crowder said. “Just try to be a reliable receiver for the offense.”
When the Jets took Mims with the 59th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after he produced 1,010 receiving yards, 66 catches and 12 touchdowns his final year at Baylor, they were expecting him to make an immediate impact. Instead, his pro career has yet to take off.
A hamstring injury cost him most of training camp a year ago, then days before the regular season opener, he hurt his other hamstring. He didn’t make his debut until Oct. 25, and finished the abbreviated season with 23 catches on 44 targets for 357 yards, an average of 15.5 yards per catch. Now, following a shaky start to his second season, Mims will get the chance to show this new Jets coaching staff he can contribute.
“You can see all the potential that he has,” Crowder said. “He has the size, he can go up and make plays. Just as I’m excited to get out there, I’m excited for him to get out there as well.”