Geno Smith (ankle) practicing

CORTLAND -- Geno Smith isn't letting his sore ankle keep him out of the Jets quarterback competition.

The rookie returned to the field for practice Sunday after reportedly spraining his right ankle in their preseason opener in Detroit.

With his ankle taped tightly, Smith jogged out to practice and got right to work with the other quarterbacks.

Joe McKnight, meanwhile, was back on the practice field after missing several days with a head injury. The running back/kick returner warmed up and stretched with his teammates, but later donned a red non-contact jersey during drills. So did fullback Lex Hilliard (ribs).

Running back Chris Ivory also was in pads, but he began practice in the rehab area. Last week he told reporters he expected to be full strength by this week.