Bilal Powell Returns to Practice

After missing extended action in training camp due to a neck injury, Bilal Powell returned to full participation on Tuesday for the Jets. “It’s good to get his feet wet,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “You know he’s missed some time now, so he’s got a lot of catching up to do but it’s good to see him out there.” Powell got a lot contact upon his return. After he received the first two carries in a 9-on-7 drill, Powell darted for a sizeable gain on the team’s second snap in a team period. He later absorbed a big hit while blocking Mike ‘backer Demario Davis, providing veteran QB Josh McCown just enough time to complete a pass. “He had fresh legs, that’s the first thing,” Bowles said of Powell. “Other than that, he’s just got to get caught up to speed, just get used to the blocking schemes and everything else. But he was fresh, so that’s about all he can do right now.”In red zone work, McCown took advantage of Powell’s receiving ability with consecutive completions to get the offense down inside the 10. “It’s great to have him in there. What he can do out of the backfield catching the football is an asset,” McCown said. “ And when he’s on the field, they know it so there is extra awareness. It opens up other lanes, but it also gives you an opportunity to get him the ball and put it in his hands and let him make plays.” Despite the crowd noise simulation inside the fieldhouse, the offense had one of its better days of camp. Christian Hackenberg’s arm strength was on full display, delivering a perfect long ball to newcomer Daniel Williams down the sideline and then firing a rope across the field to speedster Robby Anderson. The second-year wideout continues to ascend and McCown went to him early on a crossing pattern that resulted in a chunk play. “He’s playing at a high level. We’ve said it all along that Robby has tremendous speed and because of that, he’s always going to be able to impact the play whether the ball is going to him or not because you have to account for him,” McCown said. “He continues to do things that impress us and you realize there are other things that he can do and you can utilize him more doing this route or that route. His talent is obviously allowing Coach Morton and the guys to come up with things that will help our team and that’s a good thing for us.”Tough Break for LuckyAfter the workout, Bowles announced that WR-KR Lucky Whitehead suffered a broken foot and he’ll be out a while. Claimed off waivers a couple of weeks ago from Dallas, Whitehead returned a kickoff and two punts against the Titans. During a special teams period, the Jets rotated in Frankie Hammond, Romar Morris and Marcus Murphy at kick returner. Et CeteraBoth Demario Davis and Darron Lee showcased their range today, dropping deep down the field for pass deflections. Bowles said the pair are still learning to work together, but they’ve had great communication so far… WR Marquess Wilson had a sore hip and did not practice while CB Xavier Coleman (leg) appeared to have a brace removed… QB Bryce Petty and rookie WR Chad Hansen connected on a long score despite heavy traffic in the area with two defensive backs. The latter ran in to each other while Hansen got the ball and turned upfield… Rookie S Jamal Adams neatly swatted away a McCown pass to TE Eric Tomlinson… Hackenberg got the reserves into the end zone with a play-action toss to rookie FB Anthony Firkser.

Bilal Powell Returns to Practice

Offense Thrives, Lucky Suffers a Break