Jets coach Todd Bowles has seen Andre Roberts grow as a kick returner
Jets coach Todd Bowles knew Andre Roberts when they were together in Arizona. But even Bowles didn’t know the 30-year-old would be this good as a kick and punt returner.
Roberts had kick returns of 86 and 51 yards on Sunday in the Jets’ 27-23 win over the Bills, giving him five returns of more than 50 yards this season.
“This is not my first run with Andre,” Bowles said. “My first year in Arizona, we were together. I knew he was a punt and kick returner. Not to the magnitude that he’s doing right now, but I knew he could catch the ball and I knew he could get some positive returns. A couple years later, it’s really grown. I’m not surprised at it because I’ve seen him do it before.”
An Adams admirer
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he’s impressed with Jets safety Jamal Adams.
“I would say that Jamal Adams is one of the best players we’ve played against all year,” O’Brien said. “I’ve been watching him now [on video] all morning and started watching him last week. He’s a great football player.
I think he’s got the combination of size, speed, contact speed, instincts. He’s a great tackler. He’s a really good blitzer. He can play man-to-man coverage on tight ends. He plays man-to-man on receivers, backs. He can do it all.”
Chop to it
Bowles said the Jets will contact the league about Bills tackle Dion Dawkins’ chop block on linebacker Jordan Jenkins on the game’s first offensive play. A penalty was called on Dawkins. An angry Jordan left with an ankle injury but returned.
“I thought it was a rough play,” Bowles said. “I thought it was an illegal play under the rules, but we’ll send it in and see what they say.”
Crowell update
Bowles on running back Isaiah Crowell, who left Sunday’s game with a foot injury: “He’s pretty sore and nicked up. As the week goes, we’ll see what his availability will look like.”
If Crowell is out, Elijah McGuire will start. McGuire scored the winning touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:17 left.