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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – A team coming off a 34-0 home loss is also battling some major injury concerns. For a second straight practice session this week . . .
fullback John Conner rode the stationary bike and he was joined by linebacker Bart Scott, sidelined with a toe injury. Like yesterday, Stephen Hill (hamstring) did individual work that focused mainly on agility and conditioning as did tight end Dustin Keller (hamstring).
Sione Pouha watched the opening portion of practice and did not participate, leaving to go inside the team’s facility. As first reported by JetsConfidential.com, the bulging disc in his back is bothering him again. After the Jets-49ers game, he was getting extensive back therapy at the stadium
As for Conner, he told Jets Confidential that “the hammy is feeling better but we’re taking it slow.”
He said that the knee injury that has been bothering him is fine now but the hamstring is what could keep him from playing on Monday night . . .
Hill told Jets Confidential that his hamstring hasn’t shown any progress. He continues to run on the treadmill but hasn’t gone at full speed yet.
After having a bad drop on a punt in Pittsburgh, Jeremy Kerley has been diligently working on catching the punts and using focus drills to help get him there. It seems to be working; on Wednesday even if with a slick ball due to rain, Kerley made several nice catches on punts.
It was a big day from the podium for Kerley, who earned heaps of praise from head coach Rex Ryan. Saying that the second year wide receiver has done a “tremendous job” is a turnaround from training camp when the usual jovial Ryan railed against Kerley . . .
Injuries have always seemed to cut short Chaz Schilens’ seasons in Oakland but there might be another reason why he’s no longer with the Raiders – inconsistent hands. Schilens has difficulty getting his hands up fast and had a bad drop in drills on Thursday . . .
Lex Hilliard heard it from the coaching staff after his own bad drop on a nicely thrown ball from Tim Tebow.
The media will bash Tebow and his passing plenty as they simultaneously play up a quarterback battle, but he is what he is.
Tebow threw some absolute ducks out there during Thursday’s practice but he also made some nice passes in drills. It may not always be pretty and sometimes it even wobbles, but Tebow generally puts the ball in good places for his receivers to make a play . . .
On the flip side Mark Sanchez had a rough day with his accuracy (in the media part of practice, which is a half-hour.) . . .
Bilal Powell is growing in confidence and is the best pass-catching running back on the roster. With the Jets injuries at wide receiver and tight end, Powell skill as a pass catcher is going to come in handy in the coming weeks . . .
One of the Jets better pickups this year has been Konrad Reuland, who spent last year with the 49ers. Reuland lumbers when he runs and while he had a bad drop in drills today, he’s more of a threat in the passing game than many thought upon his arrival. He was viewed as more of a blocking tight end, but he’s a sneaky threat in the passing game . . .
Speaking of tight ends, Hayden Smith caught a fade route on a diving catch over safety Josh Bush. He’s raw but the athleticism shown on that play can’t be taught.
“Things are beginning to slow down for me, that’s a good thing, over the past few days,” Smith told Jets Confidential. “I’m beginning to use my athleticism now to make football plays.”
Kristian R. Dyer covers the Jets for Metro New York as well as Jets Confidential and can be followed for practice updates and news @KristianRDyer