NY Jets news: Aaron Rodgers beef, Will McDonald injury, Joe Douglas comments

The NY Jets seemingly have beef with half the NFL, and the latest addition to the team's list of rivals is the New York Giants. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been engaged in a war of words with Giants outside linebacker Jihad Ward.

Ward previously took shots at Rodgers and the Jets, accusing the team of laughing in the huddle following an illegal blindside block by wide receiver Randall Cobb in the team's preseason meeting this past Saturday.

Rodgers responded on Thursday, insisting that Ward was "making s— up." The four-time MVP didn't hold back, spurring on the growing rivalry between the two cross-town franchises.

His insistence on calling MetLife Stadium "JetLife Stadium" didn't exactly go over well with Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard, either. The Jets and Giants will square off in Week 8, as the latter will look for their first win over the Jets in 12 years.

Other NY Jets news

Will McDonald injury update

Jets rookie defensive end Will McDonald was not spotted at practice on Thursday as the team's first-round pick was held out with an undisclosed injury. Fortunately, it doesn't appear as though it's anything serious.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported that McDonald "got nicked up" in the team's preseason finale against the Giants but that he "should be fine." As Rosenblatt noted, McDonald has plenty of time to heal up before Week 1.

The Iowa State product appeared to injure his arm in the first quarter against the Giants on the same play that Bryce Huff recorded a sack. McDonald was sandwiched in between two defenders and did not return for the rest of the game.

Although he missed Thursday's practice, it doesn't sound as though his status for Week 1 is in question. The Jets release their first injury report of the season next Thursday.

Joe Douglas doesn't insist on a playoff update

Jets general manager Joe Douglas spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since Aaron Rodgers' introductory press conference, and he was asked about his team's expectations this season.

Douglas dodged a question about a playoff mandate, although he heavily suggested that the organization has lofty goals for the upcoming season.

Douglas acknowledged the excitement level surrounding the Jets and even insisted that it was nice to be considered among the NFL's best teams. However, he made it clear that excitement doesn't win games. This team still has a lot to prove.

Douglas was never going to instill an official playoff mandate, but it's clear that he and the Jets aren't running away from their expectations. The Jets expect to make the postseason.