D'Angelo Ponds' injury has dampened the excitement around his Jets debut

Remember the good old days of a few months ago, when New York Jets cornerback D’Angelo Ponds kept generating buzz in a way we typically don’t see from second-round picks?

Things have certainly changed, and Ponds’ calf is to blame. He’s missed nearly all of training camp and sat out last Friday’s preseason-opening loss to the Buccaneers, though there is no indication that he’ll start the season on injured reserve.

But the once-exciting hype train surrounding Ponds is clearly losing steam, and Bleacher Report listed him as the No. 46-ranked rookie entering the season. Considering that he went No. 50 in April’s draft, an optimist could successfully argue that Ponds finishing that high is a positive.

And while they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong, Bleacher Report ranked Ponds as the No. 27 prospect ahead of the draft. That’s a 19-player drop, roughly four months after being viewed as a first-round talent.

“He’s the type of competitive, athletic, and playmaking cornerback that coaches want in their secondary,” Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department wrote. “While there are size and length concerns, those won’t stop him from earning a role in the NFL.”

New York Jets fans should still buy high on rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds

We understand how easy it’s becoming to forget Ponds’ presence. As of Monday morning, the Jets hadn’t yet announced a timetable for his return to practice, and it’s difficult to see him playing against the Steelers on Friday night.

Ideally for the Jets, they’ll have Ponds back at full strength by mid-September at the latest. Their Week 1 showdown with Robert Saleh and the Titans is Sept. 13, so Ponds has less than 30 days to get back on the field, show that he can handle the intensity of training camp, and erase any doubts about him contributing against Tennessee.

Assuming that the calf injury doesn’t linger, Jets fans should remain high on Ponds. He earned rave reviews throughout the pre-draft process and offseason workouts, and Glenn has repeatedly made it clear he’s a fan of the All-American cornerback. 

Injuries are already affecting the Jets’ rookie class, with Ponds and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (sports hernia) both sidelined. Thankfully for Glenn and Darren Mougey, edge rusher and No. 2 pick David Bailey has been arguably the best player in camp, and sixth-round guard Anez Cooper dominated against the Buccaneers.

Ponds’ return will be much needed given fellow cornerback Brandon Stephens’ disappointing summer. The 28-year-old cornerback enjoyed a strong start to camp but has since struggled, including against the Buccaneers.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow