LI's Jeremy Ruckert on field with Jets, but has a long way to catch up
Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert works out during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Friday. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jets rookie tight end Jeremy Ruckert went through his first NFL practice on Friday, but his workload wasn’t that heavy.
This was expected after he missed all of OTAs and the start of training camp with a foot injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. The Jets just activated the Lindenhurst product on Wednesday.
Ruckert participated in everything but played in very few competitive team reps. He was on the field for the last play of practice as a blocker when undrafted rookie running back Zonovan Knight ran for a long touchdown.
Robert Saleh said it’s good that Ruckert is practicing but added that he’s got a lot of catching up to do.
“Just glad that he’s getting reps and the stuff we’ve been feeling with regards to his rehab and the breakthrough that I talked about the other day has got him to the practice field pretty quick,” Saleh said. “We’re excited that he’s out there, but he has a long way to catch up.
“He’s missed all of OTAs, he’s a rookie, he’s missed half of training camp. So he has a very long way to go to get to the point where his head is not spinning. Then from there, we can make a fair evaluation.”
Ruckert is part of a revamped tight end room. The Jets signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free agency and drafted Ruckert in the third round out of Ohio State.
Lawson dominates
Edge rusher Carl Lawson continues to get stronger in his return from a ruptured Achilles. He had at least two “sacks” Friday and applied pressure on Zach Wilson a few other times.
“Carl is pretty darn good,” Saleh said. “His issue is not going to be whether or not he’s ready, it’s just when. He’s approaching that.”
No punching
A few skirmishes broke out at practice, but Saleh was happy that they didn’t escalate.
“One rule: No punching,” he said. “They’re going to push. They’re going to shove. It’s going to happen. They’re sick of each other. They’re sick of the same calls from the coordinators. I think everyone’s sick of each other at this point in camp. We have one more week before we go to Philadelphia and see different humans. For all the skirmishes that happened, I didn’t see a punch, so at least we’re doing that right.”
Two-minute drill
Tevin Coleman participated for the first time after being out with an illness . . . The Jets will host their annual Green & White practice Saturday night at MetLife Stadium.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
