On Tuesday, it was a pitch count.
But by Wednesday, it was soreness.
A day after a slimmed-down Mekhi Becton was limited in practice, the oft-injured offensive tackle was held out of the team workout altogether.
“Mekhi’s knee just wasn’t up for today, so we just held him back,” coach Robert Saleh said.
The former first-round pick has appeared in just one game over the last two seasons and is being brought along slowly.
The 24-year-old suffered an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap last August, ending his season shortly after the start of training camp.
It was the same knee bothering him Wednesday.
Becton has been receiving mostly second-team reps, as Billy Turner and Max Mitchell man the tackle spots with the first team.
Veteran Duane Brown (PUP) is the projected starter at left tackle.
Saleh wouldn’t say if Becton will return to practice Thursday, labeling his status as day-to-day.
“We’re all trying to pace it, trying to get [him] back up to full speed where he can play an entire game, so we’re just working with him,” Saleh said. “The doctors, our training staff and coaches are just trying to make sure we do the best we can to get him ready to play a football game.”
Edge rusher John Franklin-Myers felt his groin tighten up and didn’t take part in team drills.
“He suffered it during 1-on-1s and then got through the first part of practice and then [trainer David Zuffelato] pulled him, so I don’t think it’s bad,” Saleh said. “Might cost him a couple of days, but it’s nothing serious.”
One of three safeties fighting for the starting job, Tony Adams stood out Wednesday. He intercepted Aaron Rodgers on a deep ball intended for Corey Davis. The play didn’t count, since the defense went offside. An undrafted free agent, Adams appeared in 11 games for the Jets last year as a rookie.
“Tony has an unbelievable mental makeup. Undrafted free agent, unseated a bunch of guys who we all thought were going to make the team last year, made it impossible for us to cut him,” Saleh said. “Does everything we ask of him and his effort, communication, football IQ, all of it is pretty damn good.”
Adams is battling Ashtyn Davis and Adrian Amos to start next to Jordan Whitehead at safety.
