On Friday, the Jets were missing one of their best draft picks when they stepped onto the field for their first real practice at training camp.
Wide receiver Denzel Mims, the team’s second-round pick, injured his hamstring earlier this week and did not practice. The Jets are hoping Mims can be a weapon for quarterback Sam Darnold this season. Depending on how much time is missing, this could slow down its growth in the attack.
“Mentally, we can help him improve,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “But at the end of the day, when you play that role, it all depends on the chemistry you have with the quarterback. We are run out of time. Since he got here he has tried to do everything right. He shows up early. He tries to make sure he’s doing all the right things while taking care of his body. It was just a really weird step he took and he lay down a bit.
The injury came when the Jets were performing drills earlier this week and Mims was running roads. There was a low throw and that led to an awkward step, Gase said.
“Every rep that we have right now is extremely valuable,” said Gase. “We’re kind of going to see what that looks like in a big picture of things.”
Running back Frank Gore and cornerback Pierre Desir also missed practice with hamstring injuries. Gase called Gore’s absence from the practice a “precaution.” Rookie DL Jabari Zuniga also missed a quad injury. RB Kenneth Dixon missed practice with a hip flexor.
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