Josh Martin didn’t think it would take this long.
But the Jets linebacker is smart enough to know that when dealing with concussions — which he had been since sustaining one in the preseason finale against the Eagles — there’s no rushing back.
As the Jets played their first three games of the season, Martin sat out feeling the lingering effects of the head injury, describing them as “just classic concussion symptoms.” They have finally subsided, though, and Martin practiced for the first time Thursday in hopes of making his debut Sunday against the Jaguars.
“It’s definitely concerning,” Martin said of the concussion, which wasn’t his first. “I’m very interested in having a career post-football, so that’s always in the back of my mind. But it’s part of the game. You go through the protocol, it’s there to protect us, and trust the doctors and the staff they have here. I’m comfortable with where I’m at now.”
Coach Todd Bowles said Martin could play Sunday “if he gets up to speed,” as the linebacker was not able to keep up with his conditioning while in the concussion protocol. When Martin does get in, he will try to add to the Jets’ pass rush that has recorded eight sacks.
“I’m not out of shape,” Martin said. “[But] game speed’s a little different than gassers.”
The Jets don’t play the Patriots until Thanksgiving weekend, but there’s no set schedule for taking jabs at them.
Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates didn’t miss his shot while explaining the Jets have had headset issues in each of their first three games this season.
“We understand that’s something that can happen any time, especially in New England,” Bates said.
The Jets are trying to improve their hand signals for communication from the sideline to be better prepared if the headsets malfunction again so they don’t have to waste timeouts.
“There’s sometimes radio interference,” he said. “I’ve always said, I don’t know how to do it, but I guess you can FaceTime people in China but our headsets go down.”
Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor was limited with a sore groin, which he sustained during Thursday’s practice.
“We will see how treatment goes and then we will see as the days go on,” Bowles said.
After not practicing on Wednesday, safety Doug Middleton (knee, finger) and CB Buster Skrine (knee) were upgraded to limited on Thursday. Safety Marcus Maye (ankle, foot) remained limited while TE Neal Sterling (concussion) and WR Charone Peake (hamstring) sat out again.
Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo did not practice because of a hip injury, while DE Calais Campbell (ankle) and RBs Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and T.J. Yeldon (ankle) were limited.