It was a rough day for Mekhi Becton, and a short one at that.
The former first-round pick was beaten multiple times and saw limited team reps as the Jets aim to bring him along slowly.
After appearing in just one game over the last two injury-plagued seasons, Becton arrived for training camp in by far the best shape of his professional career.
But the Jets still have him on a pitch count, wanting to ease him in.
“He’s done a nice job. I’m pumped for him,” coach Robert Saleh said after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s worked so hard to drop his weight and get himself into shape. He just has to learn to trust his knee and find a way to get comfortable with it, but he’s moving in the right direction.”
Becton, beaten Tuesday by Carl Lawson and rookie Will McDonald IV has mostly worked with the second-team offensive line in camp, while Billy Turner and Max Mitchell man the tackle spots with the first team.
Veteran Duane Brown (PUP) is the incumbent at left tackle.
Becton, 24, suffered an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap last August, ending his season roughly a month before the regular-season opener.
Receiver Allen Lazard didn’t practice and had a sleeve on his left leg. Saleh didn’t seem concerned.
“He’s dealing with some muscle tightness, so we’re just holding him back until he gets better,” the coach said.
Facing Aaron Rodgers every day in practice is supposed to help the Jets’ defense, but Lawson doesn’t think it is all that beneficial to him so far.
“Sometimes I don’t even think I got better on the play because the ball gets out so fast,” the edge rusher said. “Sometimes, I’m not even getting better, because I’m not even getting out of my space by the time the ball is out. It might be a detriment to me to practice against him if you want the truth.”
He added: “It’ll get you better because you get the best of the best. I’m just giving you my real answer. Sometimes, it’s not fun. I want to rush the passer, but the ball is out before I can even get a step in the ground. It’s good for the defense, but for me, I want to work my move, but the ball is out.”
Hall of Fame running back and Jets great Curtis Martin attended practice with owner Woody Johnson. … Tuesday’s practice was the team’s first in pads.