FLORHAM PARK — Darron Lee had an awfully good first game in a Jets uniform.
In Thursday night's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Lee had four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack. He flashed, earned praise from teammates and coaches, and has since... moved up the depth chart?
"A ton of guys are getting reps," head coach Todd Bowles said on Tuesday. "We like to mix and match people and see how they look in pads. Guys have been put first, second, third team. We're just trying different combinations."
In every practice since the Jacksonville game, Lee has seen extended action with the Jets' starters. On Saturday, with David Harris out of practice for an excused reason, Lee played strong inside linebacker. On Sunday, with Harris back, Lee rotated in-and-out with weak inside linebacker Erin Henderson. On Monday, Lee took most reps with the first-team defense in their nickel package.
Coach speak aside, it appears as if Lee has worked himself into the starting rotation.
"We said we would switch them up," Bowles said. "We're moving guys around in case of injury. Things can happen, and we want to see how they relate."
Bowles being non-committal about whether or not a player is starting isn't new. Rookie Jordan Jenkins took every first-team rep with the Jets' defense at outside linebacker in organized team activities, minicamp and the first two weeks of training camp. The Jets didn't officially label him a starter until they released their unofficial depth chart, and Jenkins' name was at the top.
From a purely observational standpoint, Lee has been doing more work these last three practices than he had been in the previous 11. Before the Jaguars game, Lee didn't get one rep with the starting defense. Even when Harris was given a rest day on Aug. 4, Bruce Carter filled in.
Does that mean Lee's impressing? It certainly looks like it.
The Jets have one more practice scheduled (Wednesday) before an off day Thursday. The team will travel to Washington to take on the Redskins Friday night.
In Thursday night's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Lee had four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack. He flashed, earned praise from teammates and coaches, and has since... moved up the depth chart?
"A ton of guys are getting reps," head coach Todd Bowles said on Tuesday. "We like to mix and match people and see how they look in pads. Guys have been put first, second, third team. We're just trying different combinations."
In every practice since the Jacksonville game, Lee has seen extended action with the Jets' starters. On Saturday, with David Harris out of practice for an excused reason, Lee played strong inside linebacker. On Sunday, with Harris back, Lee rotated in-and-out with weak inside linebacker Erin Henderson. On Monday, Lee took most reps with the first-team defense in their nickel package.
Coach speak aside, it appears as if Lee has worked himself into the starting rotation.
"We said we would switch them up," Bowles said. "We're moving guys around in case of injury. Things can happen, and we want to see how they relate."
Bowles being non-committal about whether or not a player is starting isn't new. Rookie Jordan Jenkins took every first-team rep with the Jets' defense at outside linebacker in organized team activities, minicamp and the first two weeks of training camp. The Jets didn't officially label him a starter until they released their unofficial depth chart, and Jenkins' name was at the top.
From a purely observational standpoint, Lee has been doing more work these last three practices than he had been in the previous 11. Before the Jaguars game, Lee didn't get one rep with the starting defense. Even when Harris was given a rest day on Aug. 4, Bruce Carter filled in.
Does that mean Lee's impressing? It certainly looks like it.
The Jets have one more practice scheduled (Wednesday) before an off day Thursday. The team will travel to Washington to take on the Redskins Friday night.