With both T Tyron Smith and RB Breece Hall not participating in Tuesday's eight OTA session, Jets rookies Olu Fashanu and running back Braelon Allen continued their pro educations this spring with a solid workout.

With Smith watching, Fashanu got in valuable time with the first unit. Protecting QB Aaron Rodgers, the No. 11 overall pick in April's NFL Draft out of Penn State held up well in pass-blocking situations. Additionally, as Fashanu worked through 11-on-11, 7-on-7 and individual drills, Smith was there to mentor.

"I know Olu is soaking up all the information he can get from him, which is awesome," HC Robert Saleh said. "I think all the tackles and O-linemen are gravitating toward him (Smith)."

In 7-on-7, Allen, who totaled 49 receptions over three seasons at Wisconsin, flashed his receiving skills while high-pointing a Tyrod Taylor pass 35 yards down the field. Allen, a fourth-round pick by New York (No. 134), has showcased his receiving ability throughout the spring. Listed at 6-1, 235 pounds, he ran for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall for the Badgers.

"He's very smooth for as big as he is," Saleh said. "Both him and Isaiah [Davis], we knew that they were good enough out of the backfield to be able to catch those checkdowns and do something with it. But Allen is a very smooth route runner, very, very easy hands."

Haason Reddick to Return for Mandatory Minicamp
In March, the Jets made a trade to acquire All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick from the Eagles for a conditional third-round pick. Reddick is expected to be in attendance for mandatory minicamp, which begins next week.

"Hassan is a pro," HC Robert Saleh said. "He's been in this league a while. He's produced it at a very high level for a long time, he's got his routine. If it makes people feel better, we know where he's at, we know what he's doing and we know he's working his tail off to get where he needs to get to, to have a productive '24 season."

Reddick is coming off a strong 2023 season, recording 11 sacks, 38 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, earning a second straight trip to the Pro Bowl. In Reddick's absence, second-year edge defender Will McDonald and the other young pass rushers have been able to get quality reps against the first-team offense.

"Obviously, as a coach, you selfishly want everybody here all the time," Saleh said. "But it is voluntary and I'm thankful for the guys who are here putting in their work and those are the guys who I'm want to focus on."

A Second Jets Season for Hackett and Rodgers
Last offseason, QB Aaron Rodgers and OC Nathaniel Hackett, who will begin their fifth season together as an QB-OC duo in 2024 (3 with the Packers), spent a bulk of OTAs and training camp helping many Jets players become familiar with a new offense.

With many of the players back from last year, the Jets offense is ahead of schedule thanks to a season of experience. Wide receivers Xavier Gipson and Garrett Wilson, and tight ends Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert have been notable contributors early.

"It is a fact that goes totally overlooked," Conklin said about the familiarity. "There is so much that players learn from coaches and coaches learn from players after a full year together. Everyone now knows this system and now we don't totally have to learn Aaron. We can finally all be on the same page and get better at the same time."

Jetcetera
Near the end of practice, the Jets conducted a situation period in which the offense trailed, 7-5, on its own 41-yard-line with 1:01 left in the second quarter. On the first play with the first-team offense, QB Aaron Rodgers rolled to his right and threw a deep pass across his body to WR Xavier Gipson for a 59-yard touchdown. … In the same situation, QB Tyrod Taylor completed two passes each to WRs Lance McCutcheon and Malik Taylor to get the team within FG range (10-yard line) before a would-be field goal attempt. … LB Quincy Williams and LB C.J. Mosley combined for a trio of simulated tackles for loss and a sack. … In 7-on-7, Rodgers fired a throw between safeties to WR Garrett Wilson for a leaping grab inside the 10-yard line. … The Jets secondary, however, got the better of the second offense in 7-on-7 and forced Taylor to tuck the ball twice during his reps. … RB Breece Hall (lower body), WRs Jason Brownlee and Irvin Charles and FB Nick Bawden worked off to the side. TE Kevin Foelsch and OL Brady Latham did not participate.