It continues to be business as usual for Todd Bowles and the New York Jets. Under a blistering Saturday sun, the Green & White completed their second training camp practice without rookie signal caller Sam Darnold.
"I am just worried about the guys that are here, like I said," said the fourth-year head coach. "The guys that are here are going to play and we are going to get ready for the season. When he comes in, he comes in."
With Darnold unsigned entering Day 3, both Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater continue to get a ton of reps. If Darnold isn't back soon, would the Jets sign a third passer?
"Right now we are okay, but we have plan B and we have some things in place," Bowles said. "We will just play it accordingly."
Break for Eli
Second-year running back Eli McGuire left Friday's practice with a foot injury and tests revealed that he suffered a fracture. McGuire, who had a strong spring, is out indefinitely.
"I am sure it is tough for him going into his second year," Bowles said of McGuire, who rushed for 315 yards his rookie campaign. "Anytime someone gets hurt it is a tough break, but he is a hard worker and we expect him back as soon as he is ready."
Check Out the Top Photos from the Second Day of Training Camp
With McGuire down, former Seahawk Thomas Rawls moves up to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell.
"Obviously Rawls has been a heck of a player in Seattle and he came in the spring and he made an impression," Bowles said. "He works hard, he has a great personality, he is very smart and he loves the game. Those are the types of players you like to coach. We just have to see him with the pads on and see how he progresses."
Middle Man
Inside linebacker Darron Lee nearly had a house call in practice, perfectly timing a short pass from Josh McCown that was intended for wideout Quincy Enunwa. Lee got the pass defense, but he had his eyes on a 98-yard touchdown. The man calling signals for the defense worked out three times a day in the offseason and he's feeling great physically.
"I've never felt this good, in shape wise," he told reporters. "I feel like I could go out and practice again right now. I feel great."
Trench Advances
In 1-on-1 work, rookie DL Nathan Shepherd had an outstanding rep vs. veteran LG James Carpenter. Carp is a bad man, but Shep showed good burst, power and explosion to get around the veteran. The Jets will continue to rotate their defensive linemen and Shepherd along with Forolunso Fatukasi saw work with the first team. In team drills, Shepherd had a stop of veteran back Rawls at the line of scrimmage.
Jetcetera
Second-year cornerback Derrick "Bones" Jones intercepted McCown in the red zone, but an official ruled that the Mississippi product didn't get both of his feet in bounds. "Bones" wouldn't be denied though and made sure he got his takeaway albeit No. 2 came in 7-on-7 work… Rookie tight end Chris Herndon flashed his mitts with a one-handed grab of a Bridgewater ball near the goal line… Fellow rookie Parry Nickerson had a would-be sack of McCown and the speedy corner nearly intercepted a McCown slant to wideout Robby Anderson… Bilal Powell had a nifty touchdown run, patiently waiting for a hole to develop before exploding into the end zone… Bridgewater made a nice check at the line during a team period, getting the offense into a run play and Crowell took advantage with a sizable gain. The fifth-year quarterback continues to be fluid on designed rolls and did have a scoring pass to Charles Johnson in the red area… Enunwa didn't have the red pinnie on today, but he is expected to have it tomorrow when the Jets hold their first pads practice of 2018.