NUGENT NEARING RETURN
It appears Mike Nugent is creeping ever so close to returning to his duties as the Jets kicker.
Nugent, who injured his right thigh in the season opener in Miami and has been out since, began practicing with the team this week for the first time.
Eric Mangini would not rule one way or another who will kick Sunday, but figure it’ll be Jay Feely, who’s filled in admirably for Nugent. Feely has made 12 of 16 field goals and been solid on kickoffs.
Asked if he believes it’s about time he returns, Nugent said yesterday, “I think I felt it was about time two days after (the injury) happened. I wanted (the missed time) to be as quick as possible.”
Nugent said no one has rushed him, that he’s found teammates saying to him things like “be smart” and “make sure you’re ready to go.”
It looks as if next Thursday’s New England game might be Nugent’s next game.
“He did significantly more than he has done,” Mangini said. “It [Wednesday] was the first time that he’s really been involved with the full group. It was encouraging.”
David Bowens will start again in place of LB David Harris, who appears to be out about three weeks after he underwent groin surgery Wednesday.
Bowens did a nice job against the Bills, except for being burned on a long screen play to Marshawn Lynch on Buffalo’s opening drive.
“Quite a mulligan,” coach Eric Mangini joked of Bowens’ early gaffe.
In other injury news, S Eric Smith (post-concussion symptoms) and TE Bubba Franks (hip) also missed yesterday’s practice. Abram Elam will again start for Smith.
WRs Laveranues Coles (thigh) and Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) and LB Cody Spencer (shoulder) were limited in practice as was Nugent. TE Chris Baker (hip) practiced fully.
