Jets' First-Round Rookie Returns, Veteran Left Tackle Still Out

Injury updates from Gang Green's fifth training camp practice

The pads came on and rookie edge rusher Will McDonald came back to practice on Tuesday.

With the New York Jets holding their first padded practice since training camp opened last week, the team's first-round draft pick returned to the field after missing three workdays due to a leg contusion. 

McDonald, the No. 15 overall selection back in April, was sidelined for sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The players were off on Monday. 

The 6-foot-4 McDonald stood out early on Tuesday according to multiple accounts. He had no trouble running through defensive line drills and the Iowa State product logged a "sack" later on in team drills (taking the quarterback to the ground is not permitted).

"I'll go back and look at the tape, but just getting to know him over the last couple of months, I can promise you there was a lot of effort, a lot of freaky athleticism," said Saleh after Practice No. 5. "With the pads first on, I'll be curious to see what it looked like [on film]. Not that he's afraid of pads, but pads changes everybody."

McDonald is on track to factor into Gang Green's edge rusher rotation as a rookie. The three-time All-Big 12 Conference First Team honoree, who totaled 34.0 sacks as a collegian, adds another capable option to a group that features Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff.

DE Will McDonald during Jets' OTAs / © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com

On the other side of the ball, veteran bookend Duane Brown remained on the Active/PUP list. The 16th-year pro counts against the Jets' 90-man roster, but cannot practice until the designation is lifted. He was spotted working out off to the side on Tuesday.

"Yeah, he’s getting closer [health wise]," said Saleh last week.

Recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Brown landed on PUP upon reporting to camp on Saturday. The left tackle made 12 starts while playing through a torn rotator cuff in 2022.

Brown will turn 38 years old next month. The 2008 first-round draft choice has totaled 215 starts in the NFL regular season.

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