After serving a four-game suspension, Jets second-year wide receiver Jalin Marshall is getting up to speed.
The offense looks significantly different since the last time Marshall suited up for the Green & White in the preseason finale. Offensive coordinator John Morton's unit now features two receivers in Jermaine Kearse and Jeremy Kerley, who were acquired Sep. 1 and Sep. 5, and lead the team with 22 and 17 receptions, respectively.
"You really have to re-establish yourself among your peers, especially the ones that don't know you," said Marshall, who originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2016. "You don't want to be overwhelming, but you want to fall into place and let everything happen. They're not going to let me have anything, they came to have a spot too. I just want to be here for them and let them know I'm here to help the team win."
During his time away from the team, the Ohio State product trained near his hometown of Middletown, OH at Ignition APG. On gamedays, Marshall said he worked out with the Jets games in the background to serve as motivation.
Jets Returned to the Field on Wednesday to Begin Preparations for Week 6
"I was just working on staying in shape," he said. "I think I got a little faster. I caught the ball a lot and wanted to make sure I stayed in the loop working out. I wanted to stay catching and playing football because it's important that when I got back, I wanted to look like I've been playing."
The 5'10", 200-pound Marshall registered 14 receptions and two touchdowns his rookie campaign and hauled in three catches for 41 yards in the preseason. Head coach Todd Bowles said Marshall caught up a bit last week and the staff will decide later in the week whether he'll be active in Week 6 against the Patriots.
"Whatever it is, special teams, offense, shoot if they put me on defense, I'll be ready," Marshall said. "I just want to be a team-first guy and be able to help the team win."
Bowles said Marshall provides versatility as he periodically served as the team's kick returner last year and averaged 24.9 yards per return with a long of 65. Even though his sophomore campaign has been shortened, Marshall is ready to show his progress.
"I think I can be a big playmaker for the team," he said. "A guy that can be consistently relied on to make a big play when it needs to happen, be in the right spot at all times. Provide energy. I think that's my role on the team and I'm glad to be back."
