FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Denzel Mims might have to wait a little while before catching passes from Sam Darnold again.
The rookie wide receiver was sidelined at practice Friday with a hamstring injury that could keep him out at least a few days.
Mims, the team’s second-round pick in April, was hurt earlier this week while running routes during drills. Coach Adam Gase said Mims reached for a low throw and ”kind of took a weird step.”
”He really stretched himself out, and he felt something,” Gase said. ”We’re just going to have to see how long it takes.”
Mims wasn’t the only player sidelined during the first full practice of training camp. Running back Frank Gore, cornerback Pierre Desir and defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi are also nursing hamstring injuries, while rookie defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga – a third-round pick – has a quadriceps injury and running back Kenneth Dixon has a hip flexor.
Mims is expected to be a key contributor this season while joining a receiving group that includes free-agent addition Breshad Perriman and slot receiver Jamison Crowder. The former Baylor star who caught 66 catches for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns last year should help offset the loss of top receiver Robby Anderson to Carolina in free agency.
But Gase also acknowledged the lack of on-field practices the team had during the offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic could potentially hinder the progress of young players such as Mims.
”Every rep we have right now is extremely valuable,” Gase said, adding that Mims will continue to spend a lot of time with him and the coaching staff during walkthrough sessions when he can’t practice.
”Mentally, we can help him improve, but when you’re playing that spot, it’s all about the chemistry you have with the quarterback,” Gase said. ”And, we’re missing time. Since he’s been here, he’s been trying to do everything right: He shows up early, tries to do all the right things and taking care of his body. It was was just a really weird step he took and just got stretched out.”
Gase acknowledged the Jets could bring in a veteran receiver in Mims’ absence, but said the process is ”a little harder” because of the pandemic.
”It’s not like you can fly someone in and have them on the field the next day,” Gase said. ”There’s a pretty length process you have to go through.”
Gore signed with the Jets in May and is expected to complement starter Le’Veon Bell in the backfield. Gase said sitting the 37-year-old Gore, who is No. 3 on the NFL’s career rushing list, was ”a little more precautionary.”
Gore was injured last week during workouts.
”He’s been doing stuff with the group,” Gase said. ”Just really trying to be smart with him today.”
Desir is expected to start at cornerback in the Jets’ revamped secondary after spending the last three seasons with Indianapolis. His injury didn’t appear to be serious.
NOTES: Gase declined to comment on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ suggestion Thursday that former Jets S Jamal Adams could get ”bored” in Seattle because the Seahawks ”don’t use their safety-type things and all the different complexities of maybe not showing what they are doing as much as we do.” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll offered a dig at Williams on Seattle Sports Radio 950 KJR, saying: ”Well, let’s just pass it back to him: We don’t make as many mistakes as he does.” … CB Arthur Maulet on getting on the field for a full practice for the first time since December: ”I was happy as heck. I felt like a little kid at a candy store.”
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