Kellen Winslow Jr. spent the bye week in San Diego with his family, waiting to return to practice and to game action after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
He said he watched most of the Jets’ games while away from the team, but admitted sometimes watching was too difficult a task.
“It was weird,” Winslow said. “It was frustrating at times. Sometimes, I just didn’t watch because it was too hard to watch.”
But, as the team earned upset wins over the Patriots and Saints, pounding the ball with Chris Ivory on the ground, Winslow saw what can make the team successful.
The tight end, who said after Monday’s practice he still doesn’t know what triggered his failed test because the NFLPA has not gotten back to him, was frustrated after a reduced role in his last game before being suspended, a Week 5 victory over the Falcons. He said the time away allowed him to gain clarity on his role.
He left as the team’s leader in receptions. He returned humbled.
“I had to accept it. It’s maturing,” Winslow told The Post. “I haven’t been on this type of team before — great defense, a good run-option, good running game. If they say, ‘Kellen, we don’t need you right now,’ it’s OK. It’s just something that you have to grow with and I have.
“When I was away, I had time to think about that, so it was good for me. We’re winning. It’s all good.”
Winslow also returned rested. The 30-year-old, whose troublesome right knee has limited him since training camp and has caused him to miss multiple practices, said he feels as good as he has all season.
And after targeting Winslow 24 times in the first five games — for 17 receptions, 169 yards and two touchdowns — rookie quarterback Geno Smith was excited to have him back for his first practice on Monday.
“It was great. We missed him those four weeks,” Smith said. “To have a guy like that out there definitely helps us. A veteran guy, a guy who knows how to get open and has made plays for us in the past. Also, a guy who is a leader, a guy who can share stories with a guy like Zach [Sudfeld], who is a rookie, and also help Jeff [Cumberland].”
Winslow recognizes the team is playing to its strengths by running the ball and knows his knee issues have robbed him of much of the incredible athleticism that warranted his being the sixth overall selection in 2004. But the former Pro Bowl tight end still thinks even in a “role-specific situation,” he can make a difference.
“My thing is, whenever it’s thrown my way, I want to make the play,” Winslow said. “As long as they throw it, I’m going to catch it. That’s what I do. Anywhere you throw it on the field, I’m going to catch it.”