Wilkerson sitting out Jets’ opener against Jaguars

Jets: Bryce Petty, a fourth-rounder last year, is competing with rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder this year, for the No. 3 job and finished 7 of 14 for 93 yards. Even in the preseason. Smith – who had his jaw broken by then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkapli on August 11, 2015, in the locker room – started the game 1-for-4 for 8 yards.

There were plenty of missed tackles by the Jets and miscommunication between quarterbacks and receivers, but there were plenty of bright spots. Yet one red zone defensive stand, two excellent kickoff returns, and big receptions by young pass catchers put the Jets on top at the half, 14-13, and the threes and fours weathered a late Jaguars drive to ride the win home.

The Jets’ next preseason game is against the Redskins on August 19. Jeremy Ross and Jalin Marshall flashed in their opportunities on special teams and in the backup offenses.

The Jaguars got a sack from rookie Yannick Ngakoue to end the first Jets possession of the night and they’d love to see Ngakoue and Dante Fowler spark the kind of breakout for the pass rush that the passing game experienced a year ago. Petty, the Jets’ third-stringer, showcased his big arm, though some throws were off target. As the Jets jumped offsides, the Jaguars had a free play and Bortles threw it deep on a prayer. “Every time we’re out there, our goal is to score”. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s unit scored one touchdown (a Bilal Powell run) on two drives against Jacksonville’s defensive starters.

When the second-team defense came in, Bortles made a decision to pick on cornerback Dee Milliner.

On Thursday, Milliner gave his critics even more ammunition as he was beaten by playmaker Allen Robinson on back-to-back routes. On his first drive, he had completions of 19 and 20 yards. On the next play, he burned Milliner again, hauling in a 45-yard pass from Blake Bortles. But perhaps its not time to panic: key pieces Darrelle Revis and Muhammad Wilkerson didn’t play.

Ross Martin kicked a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter for the Jets, but also had misses of 39 and 54 yards in the second half.

Wilkerson and Robinson were activated off the physically unable to perform list this week and have yet to practice fully. CB Dexter McDougle and RBs Bernard Pierce and Khiry Robinson were among the other inactives.