Jets WR Denzel Mims activated, to get more opportunities in offense

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Denzel Mims declined to speak to reporters after the Jets practiced on Friday, extending a streak that dates to Aug. 14.

But the young receiver has been a topic of conversation all week among coaches, teammates and fans as the Jets seek answers on offense.

That chatter rose to another level on Friday when Mims’ boss, coach Robert Saleh, announced Mims would be active for Sunday’s game against the Titans at MetLife Stadium.

Mims, a second-round draft pick out of Baylor last year, caught one pass for 40 yards in the opener against the Panthers in severely limited playing time, and has been inactive since.

Saleh has been blunt about the reasons, citing Mims’ struggles to grasp aspects of the offense and his lack of contribution on special teams.

But the coach said on Friday that Mims has put together three productive weeks of practice and is ready to go.

"He’s going to get some opportunity," Saleh said. "Hopefully, he takes advantage of it. We’re expecting him to . . . He’s really getting comfortable with the offense. We’re excited to see him get it done."

Saleh said Mims has been lining up properly of late without prompts from coaches.

"You’re seeing the speed and athleticism that he has," Saleh said. "It’s just a matter of getting opportunities, taking it to Sunday and executing with his teammates and being the guy that we expected him to be."

Even with veteran Jamison Crowder scheduled to play his first game of the season, the Jets’ options are limited at wide receiver, with Elijah Moore and Jeff Smith (both concussions) out.

Saleh said he was looking forward to Crowder, who had been out with a groin injury, serving as "a comforting option" for quarterback Zach Wilson.

But the 6-3 Mims can provide explosiveness, in theory.

"He has the size, the ability to make plays," Crowder said. "I’m excited to get out there and I’m excited for him to get out there and get an opportunity as well."

Receiver Corey Davis, who emerged as a reliable target in his second season with the Titans in 2018, said he has spoken to Mims about his story and urged him to persevere.

Davis said that being a first-year player in the COVID-19 altered 2020 season made things more difficult for that year’s NFL rookie class. Mims had 23 catches for 357 yards in nine games last season; he still is seeking his first NFL touchdown.

"Denzel, he’s a great player, man," Davis said. "He’s young, had a lot of learning to do . . . He’s come a long way."

Notes & quotes: Saleh said he hopes to get safety Marcus Maye (ankle) back within a couple of weeks, perhaps after the bye that follows next week’s London game. He anticipates using a rotation that includes Ashtyn Davis, Jarrod Wilson and Sharrod Neasman in Maye’s absence . . . Receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown are out for Tennessee.

By Neil Best

Special to Newsday@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.