D'Angelo Ponds' summer absence may have given forgotten Jets defender a major role

When the New York Jets drafted Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it felt like they had major plans to implement the young defensive back as their primary option at nickel.

Unfortunately, a calf injury has cost Ponds virtually the entire summer. He didn't participate in a single training camp practice and saw no action in any of the Jets' preseason games. That's not ideal for any player, but a rookie missing that much time doesn't bode well for his playing time early in 2026.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported from Wednesday's Jets practice that the 21-year-old defender was "working on a side field with a trainer" and was doing some cornerback drills at close to full speed. It bodes well for head coach Aaron Glenn's prediction that he'll be available when New York takes on the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of the regular season.

But Ponds' absence this summer has allowed another Jets cornerback to put a heavier claim on the starting nickel job, and that's Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who enjoyed his first full offseason with New York.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr. primed for early starting role with New York Jets thanks to D'Angelo Ponds injury

With Ponds sidelined for the summer, Brownlee got most of the reps at nickel cornerback with the Jets' starting defense in training camp and preseason, and that almost surely gives him a leg up in terms of who will be getting more reps to at least start the 2026 season.

Brownlee didn't suit up for the Jets preseason finale alongside several other key projected starters, which should prove that the defensive coaching staff saw enough from the former Titans draft pick throughout the summer.

The Jets acquired Brownlee midseason in a deal with Tennessee, and almost immediately he became a vital part of the defense. He was always good for a penalty or two, but he looked like he cared when he was on the field, which is more than you can say for a lot of other Jets defenders in 2025.

He wasn't perfect in coverage, but Brownlee was easily the Jets' best run-defending defensive back. His Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 78.2 ranked 13th-best among NFL cornerbacks.

Ponds is the future at the position for the Jets. The front office invested a second-round draft pick in him for a reason. But it seems for now, at least to start the year, it will be Brownlee's job to lose as the rookie defensive back acclimates to the NFL.

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