5 NY Jets players who are off to a good start at training camp

Andy Vasquez | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Todd Bowles, Mike Maccagnan weigh in on end of Sam Darnold holdout Jets coach Todd Bowles and general manger Mike Maccagnan talk about rookie Sam Darnold's first practice after his holdout ended Monday, July 31, 2018.

It still feels very early in training camp. The Jets wrapped up just their fifth practice on Wednesday. There is more than a week to go before the Jets’ first preseason game, and more than five weeks before the start of the regular season.

But in training camp, getting off to a good start is important. For a team, it’s the start of a foundation for the upcoming season. For a player, it’s verification that everything they’ve worked on during the offseason has paid off.

So here are some Jets who have stood out so far early in Jets training camp.

Trenton Cannon: The rookie running back/returner out of Virginia State actually had a tough first day of practice. He muffed several punts during drills and seemed to have a difficult time finding holes as a runner. But as the first weekend of practice continued, Cannon seemed to get better with every day. He has fantastic burst speed and good agility and was able to find holes and turn corners for several big runs during padded practice. With Elijah McGuire out indefinitely, Cannon could get the chance to earn a meaningful role in the coming weeks.

Chris Herndon: A rookie who is making a good first impression, Herndon has made several impressive catches in the first several days of practice. The most notable was a one-handed grab near the goal line in team drills. He’s shown good speed up the middle and sure hands. The big question is if the Jets can rely on him as a blocker. He hasn’t made any noticeable mistakes in contact practices so far.

Derrick Jones: Jones didn’t play a single defensive snap as a rookie last year. But after the way he started training camp, he has a real chance to compete for the No. 4 starting cornerback role. Jones has made a couple of interceptions in seven-on-seven drills, he’s had several nice pass breakups in team drills and on Monday tipped a Sam Darnold pass that was intercepted. He has the early edge on Juston Burris and Darryl Roberts on the CB depth chart.

Doug Middleton: He stood out in last year’s training camp and had a strong preseason debut, but he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in the preseason debut. Now, Middleton is back and getting a chance to get first-team reps as Marcus Maye recovers from an ankle injury. Middleton has looked solid and notched the first interception of team drills on Monday, after Jones’ tip. Middleton could have a chance to stick as a backup safety.

Leonard Williams: The fourth-year defensive lineman has said repeatedly that this is an important season for him. And Williams certainly looks like he’s prepared to do big things in 2018. He’s been a handful for the offensive line in team drills, and has gotten to the quarterback several times in padded practices. We won’t get a gauge of exactly where Williams is at until his first preseason action, but the early signs are promising.

Dylan Donahue pleads guilty

Jets linebacker Dylan Donahue, who in February drove his car the wrong way into the Lincoln Tunnel and crashed into a jitney bus, plead guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, according to a TMZ report.

Donahue was sentenced to a DUI education program, must have a device on the ignition of his car that tests his breath for alcohol for a year, and had his license suspended for three months according to the report.

While Donahue avoided jail time, he will almost certainly be suspended for the incident. Former Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins was suspended two games for a DUI last year.

"Dylan accepts full responsibility for his actions and apologizes to his friends and family and fans," Donahue's lawyer, Terry Webb, told TMZ. "Dylan has been sober since the incident and is still committed to living a sober life."

Injury report

The Jets are dealing with some injuries. But Jets coach Todd Bowles refused to get into specifics Wednesday. WR Quincy Enunwa missed practice with an undisclosed injury. Bowles wouldn't reveal anything about the injury, other than to say it wasn't related to the neck surgery that kept Enunwa out all of last season.

TE Jordan Leggett is also dealing with a mystery injury. And OL Brian Winters missed the end of practice, but Bowles couldn't say why. Meanwhile, S Marcus Maye and WR Terrelle Pryor both participated in team drills for the first time this camp as they return from ankle injuries.

Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com

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