After the Jets got done stretching at the beginning of practice Wednesday, linebacker Demario Davis gathered the team in the middle of the field and delivered an impassioned speech, emphasizing what the Jets need to fix moving forward.
“It was the first day back after, obviously, a tough loss,” Davis said. “It’s no secret that the past two games we let two leads go in the fourth quarter. It was just basically everyone understands where we’re at and what we’ve got to do going forward. Let’s correct the little things we need to correct and stay together and keep pushing forward.”
The Jets returned to the practice field Wednesday trying to put the 31-28 loss to the Dolphins behind them. During the portion of practice open to the media, the team seemed loose. After, players said it was a good practice. It started with Davis, who has become a team leader in his second stint with the Jets.
“It resonated with all of us,” quarterback Josh McCown said. “I think that’s what we talk about when we say the veteran leadership that we have to stay together and be resilient. I think Double D sets the tone with that on the defensive side especially.
“When he pulls us together and we’re all in there together, it’s just a good reminder that we all lost Sunday. Not just this side of the ball or that side of that ball or that player. We all lost and we all feel like crap after the game, but we’re all in this together. I think it really set the tone for practice today and I thought we went out and had a good run.”
CB Buster Skrine has a concussion and did not practice Wednesday. Skrine did not report the concussion symptoms until Monday. Skrine’s helmet flew off after a hard hit in the fourth quarter from Dolphins WR Leonte Carroo on a pick play at the goal line. Jets coach Todd Bowles said he was not sure when the concussion occurred.
The Jets will have to shuffle some pieces around if Skrine can’t play on Sunday. Darryl Roberts could move inside to play the slot corner with Juston Burris possibly playing outside.
After committing 12 penalties Sunday, cutting out the flags is a point of emphasis for the Jets. Bowles would not say what they are doing in practice to eliminate the flags, though.
“We talk about it every day, all day, since the spring. We talk about it every day,” he said, offering no other details.
RT Brandon Shell (neck) is day-to-day, according to Bowles. He did not practice Wednesday. … DE Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, toe) and TE Jordan Leggett (knee) did not practice. WR Robby Anderson (ankle) was limited. … The Jets signed TE Neal Sterling from the Chiefs’ practice squad. Sterling had been with the Jets earlier this season. … CB Xavier Coleman (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve.