The Jets defense learned from its slow start in joint practices with the Carolina Panthers last week and came out strong against the New York Giants. During the first team period, it was S Chuck Clark who had a big hit against Giants RB Eric Gray that helped set the tone.

"It kind of wakes you up and makes you feel alive," Clark said of his hit. "It gives you a high, honestly. I love stuff like that."

Clark, who tore his ACL last June and missed the 2023 season, has been a big contributor in joint practices throughout training camp. Last week against the Panthers, Clark had a ear-popping tackle on RB Chuba Hubbard that left him slow to get up.

"I definitely feel like it's an opportunity to gauge where you're at, what you can work on and what you can get better at," Clark said about the joint practices. "You're going against your teammates every day so you get used to their techniques and how they do things. Seeing someone different that is at a top level as well, it's definitely a good measuring stick for you."

Clark is part of a safety room that returns Tony Adams and Ashtyn Davis. Adams, who earned a starting spot last season, complimented Clark for the leadership and experience he brings to the group.

"Chuck is experienced," Adams said. "He's a vet. When Chuck Clark speaks, you listen. He's proven a lot in this league and he's going to help us a lot. I feel like Chuck Clark brings experience and he's going to teach me as well. I can't wait to go out there and ball with him."

As someone who has had experience in the Baltimore Ravens' elite defense since 2017, when he was drafted, Clark knows the keys to maintaining the standard.

"The main way you maintain that is through practice and just the habits that you create that trickle down through guys through the different years and it stays with that team," he said. "It stays with the character of that team, you know? So, I think just through practice, what we build and what we put out there every day on the practice field and carry over to games and that's our makeup. That's our identity."

While HC Robert Saleh has not announced if any starters will play in the preseason finale Saturday against the Giants, Clark has already started thinking about taking on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 on Monday night Sept. 9.

"I just sit and envision myself making plays," Clark said. "Seeing a different color where it really counts, you know? So, I really can't wait for that night, just putting myself through that scenario, it's going to be a nighttime game, what it's going to feel like outside, what uniform we're going to have on, so I've definitely walked myself through those scenarios."