Denzel Mims remains confident despite disappointing season for Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Denzel Mims said this season has been "very difficult" and that he’s moved past being benched last week for committing penalties on back-to-back plays. He hopes to prove himself in the Jets’ final four games.

"I think I’m a very good player," Mims said after practice Thursday. "I don’t think there’s too many people that’s like me. It will be shown. I just got to keep moving forward."

The second-year receiver has eight catches for 133 yards in eight games.

Mims, who was sick during OTAs, has been a healthy scratch twice this season and missed three games with COVID-19. He’s coming off a game in which he played only one snap in the second half after being flagged for two penalties that killed a potential tying touchdown drive against New Orleans. The Jets were missing three receivers, too, including starters Corey Davis and Elijah Moore.

Mims called those penalties "frustrating." As far as being benched, he said, "I can’t control their decisions." He said he’s got to "just stay hungry" and "stay positive" and be ready to make the most of whatever opportunities he gets.

The Jets are still down three receivers, so Mims will get another chance to prove himself Sunday against Miami.

"We challenged him," offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. "Let’s call it what it is, any position, but when you’re a receiver, you can’t commit three penalties in two games . . . He knows that . . . He’s going to have another opportunity. It’s a fresh week. Excited to see what he’s going to do."

LaFleur said the message for Mims — and all players — is "you got to play winning football" and you can’t do "things that are detrimental to your team." He said Mims has great size, length and speed but still has to put it all together.

Mims, a second-round pick last year out of Baylor, could be playing his final four games as a Jet, but he said he’s concerned only with this week.

"My focus is right now," he said. "I can’t worry about the future. I got to do what I can right now. We’re in the present, not the future."

Dolphins' Waddle out. Miami WR Jaylen Waddle was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining RBs Myles Gaskin, Phillip Lindsay and Salvon Ahmed . . . The Jets placed wide receiver Elijah Moore, who is on IR, and linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.