The Jets' first preseason game is on the horizon, and for HC Aaron Glenn, this week will be an important one.

"This is game week, and we have to go through our procedure on how we are going to go about going through game week," Glenn said. "It's important for the players to understand exactly how to operate in that situation, going through our warm-ups, all those things."

The Green & White will get their first taste of live competition in Green Bay, but Glenn emphasized that the team is still in the thick of training camp -- and practices will only intensify this week as preparation for the regular season continues.

"You will see longer practices from us which entails rep counts going up," Glenn said. "And this is really the week where you really want to start to do that. I thought our guys did a really good job of going through Week 1, Week 2. We haven't had any true pulls or anything like that. So now you start to get that rep count up so you can get the guys ready to play 60-65 plays when it comes to a true game."

Monday's two-hour practice -- which featured lengthy team periods and red-zone action -- reflected that philosophy. QBs Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook saw their workloads increase, but QB Tyrod Taylor did not take reps for the first time during training camp due to a knee injury.

CB Sauce Gardner Dominates, Defense Makes Stops in the Red Zone
Sauce Gardner had one of his most productive sessions yet on Monday, with several pass defenses and tight coverage throughout practice. He was especially dominant in the red zone, where he broke up a Justin Fields pass intended for WR Garrett Wilson. He was also close by to celebrate with CB Brandon Stephens, who broke up a pass intended for WR Josh Reynolds. Stephens also had a pass defense of a Fields ball intended for WR Tyler Johnson earlier in the day.

During a red zone period later in practice, the defense was able to keep Fields and the offense out of the end zone again. DL Micheal Clemons and edge Will McDonald IV each recorded would-be sacks, and S Andre Cisco shut down a QB run up the middle of the field.

Run Game Thrives
After evaluating Saturday's scrimmage, HC Aaron Glenn was encouraged by the Jets' production on the ground.

"We were really efficient when it comes to our run game, and I'm saying all of our backs that actually ran the ball did a really good job," Glenn said. "And also our line, they did a really good job of getting movement and giving our backs a chance to get three and then fall forward for five to six. So, I thought that was really, really good."

The run game showed flashes of that potential again during the first team period of Monday's practice. RBs Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis all took handoffs from QB Justin Fields, with Hall and Allen finding holes and taking off for big gains.

"I think we have a great O-line, especially for the run game," C Joe Tippman said. "We've got a bunch of tough, physical guys that will get on their blocks going downhill, and then when we do get into those combos, we can move people. So, I'm really excited. We're still taking those next steps, but I'm really excited about the whole run game that we're doing."

All three backs also got involved in the passing game later in the day. Davis hauled in a touchdown pass from QB Brady Cook, and QB Adrian Martinez connected with Allen for a short gain. Hall -- who Glenn said will be used in a variety of ways this season -- made an over-the-shoulder grab of a deep pass from QB Justin Fields while he was falling to the turf. Though he bobbled the pass and there was some debate over whether he was able to come down with it, Hall later said he was confident he made the catch.

Center Competition Continues
In the middle of the Jets' offensive operation, the competition between C Josh Myers and C Joe Tippmann has continued to heat up.

"It is a fierce, fierce battle and I actually wanted it to be that to be that way," HC Aaron Glenn said. "Just across the board and I've said this before, elite athletes thrive on competition and it's showing up with those two men."

Despite the competition, Tippmann -- who also took snaps at guard during Saturday's scrimmage -- said the battle is reserved for the time spent on the field.

"It's been great just battling out with Josh," Tippmann said. "And then being able to be in practice -- where we know we're battling it out -- and then after practice be able to sit down. There's no hard feelings, it's just how can we each get better as a player, and I think we're both doing a great job kind of taking that next step as a center to just make the team better in the whole long run of things."

Jetcetera
During a kicking period, Nick Folk converted 4-of-5 field goal attempts. Harrison Mevis later converted all six of his attempts. … QB Brady Cook took advantage of his increased workload on Monday, throwing consecutive touchdown passes in the red zone to WR Arian Smith and RB Isaiah Davis. … QB Adrian Martinez connected with WR Jamaal Pritchett for a touchdown. … DL Eric Watts had a would-be sack of Martinez. … DL Rashad Weaver had a would-be sack of Cook. … S Jarius Monroe had a pass defense of a Cook ball intended for Pritchett. … WR Xavier Gipson (shoulder), DT Quinnen Williams (calf), LG John Simpson (back), rookie S Malachi Moore (oblique strain) and TE Mason Taylor (ankle) did not practice.