'Hard Knocks' Episode 3 recap: Lacking punch . . . except for Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets defensive tackle Tanzel Smart (79) celebrates with Zaire Barnes (53) after tackling Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (21) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
Aaron Rodgers got punched in the face. No, it wasn’t a result of one of the many scrums between the Jets and Buccaneers during their joint practices last week. It was Adam Saleh, son of Jets coach Robert Saleh, who accidentally made contact with the quarterback when they were doing a coordinated handshake after playing catch.
“I haven’t been punched in the face in a while” Rodgers said.
The Jets hope nobody lays a hand on Rodgers during Saturday’s Jets-Giants preseason finale. But first, a recap of Episode 3 of “Hard Knocks,” which after last week's eventful episode didn’t pack as much of a punch.
The show also focused on Izzy Abanikanda, a fifth-round rookie running back who is having a strong camp but injured his leg in the preseason game against the Bucs. The Brooklyn product's family was on hand for the game, with one fan even asking Abanikanda's mother for a picture.
Joe Manniello, an editor on the sports copy desk, has written the NFL picks column since 2015. Manniello joined Newsday in 2004. He graduated from St. John's.
