Ed Reed hasn’t played football in four years. Jeremy Shockey and Albert Haynesworth haven’t been on the field since 2011. Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook haven’t suited up since 2010.
Though some of the NFL’s biggest stars left long ago, 2002 draft classmate Josh McCown is having one of the best seasons of his career — and he isn’t alone.
In the Jets’ game Sunday against the Panthers, the 38-year-old quarterback, who was drafted 81st overall by Arizona, will go up against 37-year-old Julius Peppers, who was picked second overall by Carolina in 2002. Before Dwight Freeney was claimed by the Lions on Wednesday, McCown and Peppers were the only players from that 2002 draft class still playing in the NFL.
McCown and Peppers even became teammates in Chicago and Carolina.
“We hoped on a bus 16 years ago out in L.A. at the rookie premiere and I hopped on and sat next to Julius and I’ve known him ever since,” McCown said Wednesday. “It’s an honor to look around and be the last two guys still rolling and still alive with him and the kind of guy he is and the kind of player he is to be alongside him. It’s an honor. I love that guy. He’s a great player, great teammate and I look forward to competing against him on Sunday.”
Playing with his eighth team, McCown has found unexpected success with the Jets, ranking second in the league in completion percentage (69.0), while being just one of three quarterbacks in the league with at least 12 touchdown passes (14) and three rushing touchdowns.
Though Peppers, who spent his first eight seasons with Carolina, then played in Chicago and Green Bay before returning to his home state this offseason, no longer plays every down, the future Hall of Famer still leads the Panthers with 7.5 sacks, tying him for 12th-best in the league.
“His ability is rare. He’s a special talent and he cares about how he goes about his day and he works at it,” McCown said. “He has a strong desire to win and I think that’s why he’s playing. He wants to keep chasing it, he wants to win a Super Bowl, and those are the things I appreciate about him and I think that’s what makes him special at this age.”
The Jets’ bye week didn’t benefit Matt Forte much.
The veteran running back, whose knee injury forced him to miss the Nov. 12 game against the Buccaneers, didn’t practice Wednesday. Forte, 31, hasn’t practiced in nearly three weeks.
“You’re concerned about it, but we’ve got to play the guys we got,” coach Todd Bowles said. “When he comes out ready, he’ll be ready to go. Until then, Bilal [Powell] and Eli [McGuire] will get most of the plays.”
Cornerback Morris Claiborne (foot) returned against the Buccaneers, after a one-game absence, but left after aggravating the injury. He was a limited participant Wednesday.
“He’s getting better,” Bowles said. “If he has a couple more good days without any pain, he’s got a chance.”
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (foot), guard Brian Winters (abdomen) and safety Rontez Miles (ankle) were also limited, and tackle Kelvin Beachum (personal) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (illness) did not practice.