With nearly two weeks to prepare, Jets receiver Allen Lazard expects to be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 against the Steelers.
The eight-year NFL veteran told The Post that his injured right shoulder feels good and that he should be good to go for Week 1 after suffering the injury in the first preseason game, against the Packers, his former team.
“It’s part of the game. Whether it happens in camp, OTAs, in the season, it’s just part of the game,” Lazard said before practice. “I’ve just been trying to stay focused in meetings and everything, stay in shape. I’m excited to get back out there today and be with the guys.”
There has been speculation the Jets might place him on injured reserve with a designation to return, which would allow them to keep another receiver.
Thus, Lazard’s expected availability figures to create some interesting decisions at the position by Tuesday’s mandated roster cutdown.
None of Lazard and veteran newcomers Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson distinguished themselves in training camp to seize the No. 2 receiver spot behind Garrett Wilson.
That foursome and fourth-round draft pick Arian Smith figure to be on the roster, likely leaving one or two spots for Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, Brandon Smith and Jamaal Pritchett.
“There’s a number of different skill sets within that room that we feel like we can take,” coach Aaron Glenn said.
He also referred to Reynolds and Johnson as “savvy vets” and added that Smith “has improved tremendously as far as how to run routes, and his hands have improved.”
Asked about his first cutdown day as a head coach, Glenn quipped, “It’s always tough decisions, absolutely. But you know what, I’d rather be in that position than when they’re not tough.”
Sauce Gardner (calf) did not practice, but Glenn said he also expects the star cornerback to be ready for the season opener.
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) and guard John Simpson (back) also did not participate.
In addition to Lazard and Gardner, Glenn said that Taylor and running back Isaiah Davis (ankle) also are on target to be available against the Steelers.
Additional reporting by Brian Costello
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
