The Jets yesterday welcomed back running back Jesse Chatman, who’d been suspended for the first four weeks of the season after testing positive for a banned substance.
The Jets, who have a bye this week, have a roster exemption for Chatman, a utility RB and special teams player, for this week but will need to release a player to make room for him on the roster next week.
Chatman, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, said “it feels good” to be back with Gang Green.
“The team accepted me with open arms,” he said. “I’m ready to put everything behind me.”
Chatman was unclear about what he was using and why, though he did admit that it was a “masking agent.” He insisted, though, that it was not performance enhancing.
“The public is going to think what they’re going to think,” he said. “Hopefully they’re going to know that I’m not a cheater and I never have been.”
That, of course, could be cleared up pretty quickly if Chatman was more specific about what he used and why he used it. He has, however, been supported by coach Eric Mangini since the moment he was suspended, something he’s grateful for.
“It felt good, because a lot of teams would go in a different direction,” Chatman said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to pay the organization back.”
Chatman said he’s been working out with a personal trainer and volunteer coaching with the Morristown High football team. He, too, said Jets LB David Bowens has been keeping him up to date with the team.
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The Jets yesterday again released P Ben Graham and will go forward with Reggie Hodges, the punter they originally signed to replace him. Hodges injured his plant leg the week he was signed and Graham had to be re-signed. Mangini indicated that a lack of consistent hang time is what did Graham in.
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The Jets re-signed OL Will Montgomery to the active roster and released WR Paul Raymond from the practice squad.
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Mangini announced Brett Favre as the offensive player of the week, and LB Calvin Pace as the defensive player of the week. Rookie Vernon Gholston was acknowledged as special teams player of the week for making four tackles in coverage.