Dexter McDougle could be on the way out

The New York Jets over the next few weeks will have some very tough decisions to make, especially when it comes to cornerback Dexter McDougle and the unfortunate reality that he simply can’t stay healthy.

When it comes to professional football, it’s a business that has plenty of opportunities but can be brutally cold when it comes to players unable to get the job done and it’s time to move on. It’s unfortunate as most of the time it’s nothing personal, just business and what is best for a franchise. When it comes to cornerback Dexter McDougle and his tenure so far on the New York Jets, he could be on the way out in the grand scheme of things.

The truth of the matter is, McDougle continues to be labeled as a bust due to his inability to stay healthy and produce where it matters most, on the football field. It’s unfortunate since he had some potential coming out of Maryland but so far during training camp, he’s been unable to give reasons to the current leadership regime to warrant giving a spot on the final roster.

Besides missing significant amounts of practice in training camp of the Jets, McDougle in his career so far has only totaled one tackle and a pass defended. Needless to say, his nagging hamstring injury is holding him back tremendously as others around him fighting for roster spots are getting more reps their way to move up on the depth chart.

McDougle is part of the infamous “Idzik 12” when former general manager John Idzik had a plethora of draft picks in his arsenal to improve the Jets beyond belief. Well, Idzik is gone now after the majority of his selections are no longer on the team and were deemed terrible decisions.

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Early impressions back then when Idzik selected McDougle in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft were not good.

Many analysts knew that durability and injuries would have major setbacks when McDougle was making his transition to the NFL.

Considering that he was coming off major shoulder surgery that ended his final season in college, it should have been one huge red flag to take a pass on him.

There’s no turning back now but at this point in time, McDougle is on the outside looking in. Even head coach Todd Bowles doesn’t look pleased with the fact that he has nothing really to use when it comes to the final decision for McDougle’s tenure on the team.

Courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets, here is what Bowles said based on McDougle missing yet another day of practice with the team this week:

On update on Dexter McDougle…

He tweaked his hamstring.

On if McDougle tweaked the same hamstring that was previously bothering him…

Yes, same one.

On if McDougle’s injury is serious…

I’m not sure yet. He didn’t practice but we’ll see how he goes forward. He shouldn’t be out too long. But he didn’t practice, he missed the first game. He needs to get healthy.

On how McDougle’s injury hurts his chances to make the team…

It’s unfortunate. We know what he can do. We know what he’s capable of. It just gives other guys opportunity. Sometimes opportunity comes by injury, by holdout, or by suspension. We just monitor the guys that are playing and we’ll try to get him back healthy when we can.

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Overall, it’s tough to come back and warrant a starting or even a backup role with such an unreliable player. The NFL is all about what have you done for me lately as opposed to keeping hope that an athlete can immediately turn into an impact player without much playing time during the regular season. At the rate things are going, McDougle might be on his last ride with the team that drafted him as others in the positional group are giving the Jets reasons why he could be expendable.

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