Jets coach Robert Saleh downplayed the absence of edge rusher Haason Reddick on Wednesday.
Reddick is holding out as he seeks a new contract.
The Jets traded for Reddick in April but have not seen him at any of their spring practices or now training camp.
The Jets held their first camp practice on Wednesday.
“It is what it is,” Saleh said. “That’s the business part of it. We have 89 other guys that we have to prepare.”
Reddick plays a position that is not as complicated schematically as others, so the Jets don’t seem too worried that he is missing these practices.
Still, he is on a new team and needs to get to know his new coaches and teammates.
The Jets can fine Reddick $50,000 a day for missing training camp.
“He’s a veteran,” Saleh said. “He’s been with multiple teams. He’s played multiple positions. He’s had success multiple different ways. At this point in his career, I’m sure he knows exactly what he needs to do to prepare himself to play football, so I’m not overly concerned.”
Saleh said Reddick’s absence gives others a chance.
“To be honest with you, I’m actually excited for Will McDonald, and Takk McKinley who’s trying to resurrect his career, and Micheal Clemons getting more opportunities,” Saleh said. “There’s a bunch of guys getting more opportunities. There’s a bunch of guys on this team that are going to get reps that they would not have necessarily gotten with him being here. I see it more as an opportunity to really work their craft and find ways to get better and force their way onto the football field.”
Saleh said there is a different feel to training camp this year from last year when “Hard Knocks” was filming everything and there was the hype around the team’s trade for Aaron Rodgers.
“It’s just a lot calmer,” Saleh said. “Guys have a much more businesslike approach to the way we are approaching things, just taking things one day at a time, and trying to be our best every day.”
RT Morgan Moses (pectoral) and RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (Achilles) did not take part in team drills on Wednesday. Saleh said they are just easing them in.
“This acclimation period we are kind of acclimating them back in, so we expect them to be in the team drills pretty soon,” he said.