Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye may not be the only rookies to start on defense for the Jets this season.
Outside linebacker Dylan Donahue is getting a chance to impress the coaching staff because projected starter Lorenzo Mauldin has missed so much time with a back injury. Donahue, a fifth-round pick from Division II West Georgia, received a lot of first-team reps with the base defense in Wednesday’s practice.
“We plan to get him in some action and see what he does,” head coach Todd Bowles said of Donahue, who missed the first preseason game with a shoulder injury.
Mauldin, a third-round pick in his third season, is improving, according to Bowles, but he has missed both preseason games. Mauldin has yet to receive an epidural shot, as Bowles said might be a possibility if his sore back didn’t get better. Mauldin’s roster spot is believed to be in jeopardy, with other options at outside linebacker such as Donahue, Josh Martin and Freddie Bishop.
Running back Matt Forte (hamstring) practiced fully for the second straight day after being out since July 31, but Bowles wouldn’t commit to him playing Saturday against the Giants.
It will be a game-time decision.
Cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder) remained out, and likely won’t play Saturday. His shoulder is just sore, and the injury is not related to surgery he previously had on the same shoulder.
The Jets cut Marquess Wilson — the second-most experienced wide receiver on their roster with 56 career catches — and signed tight end Brandon Barnes to replace Jason Vander Laan, who injured his shoulder on Tuesday. Bowles said Vander Laan is undergoing tests, and the severity of the injury is uncertain.
The Jets signed running back Jahad Thomas and released running back Jordan Todman.
Thursday is the final practice of training camp, their 19th practice of the summer. It will be the Jets’ 19th practice of the summer.
Adams flashed his coverage skills, nearly picking off a Josh McCown swing pass intended for running back Bilal Powell and blanketing tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins down the field in 7-on-7 drills.
Not only is wide receiver Jalin Marshall going to miss the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, but his play hardly is instilling confidence. For the second straight day, Marshall dropped a well-thrown pass.
Rookie wide receiver ArDarius Stewart made the catch of the day, laying out to haul in a McCown pass that was well off target in team drills.
The Jets opted for 11-on-11 game plan-oriented team drills for the second straight day, and Christian Hackenberg received the most reps, with 19, as he did on Tuesday.
Bryce Petty was second with 15 and McCown oddly had only nine, though he did get all six reps in a two-minute, hurry-up offense walk-through drill at the end of practice.
McCown, who was shaky, also threw the lone interception of the day, picked off by Darryl Roberts, when working with the scout team.
LB Darron Lee (illness), LB Lorenzo Mauldin (back), TE Jordan Leggett (sprained foot), safety Rontez Miles (eye), DL Anthony Johnson (stringer), and TE Jason Vander Laan (shoulder) were out.