Kellen Winslow Jr. spent the winter and spring waiting for a team to call. The Jets finally did, and he found himself on the practice field yesterday in a tryout capacity.
Winslow performed well and had several catches from Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith. The former Browns, Buccaneers, Seahawks and Patriots tight end said he’s not done playing.
“I have years left,” Winslow said. “My last year was 2011, I caught 75 balls. I’ve been productive. It’s just the NFL — that’s how it goes sometimes. You get cut, you get traded and you can’t do anything about it.”
Winslow had a big year in his last season with Tampa Bay. His 75 catches totaled 763 yards, and he added two touchdowns. The Bucs traded him to Seattle before the 2012 season, but the Seahawks then dumped him when he wouldn’t take a pay cut. He spent a short time on New England’s roster last year before asking for his release.
The Jets are thin at tight end, with Jeff Cumberland, Konrad Reuland and Hayden Smith. Winslow has a good shot of making the roster if he can stay healthy. His career has been plagued by knee issues that began with a motorcycle accident in 2005.
“However it works out, that’s how it works out,” Winslow said. “I’m a playmaker, and my job is just to make plays. I’m just trying to make the team.”
The Jets are also trying out wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker in minicamp.
* The Jets finally had some of their wide receivers back in practice. Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley returned to the field after missing time during OTAs.
Santonio Holmes (foot) and Clyde Gates (hamstring) remain sidelined, but the offense looked better than last week when none of the starting wide receivers were on the field.
“I feel like we’re coming along pretty good,” Kerley said. “We have some guys banged up. It will be good to get Santonio back. He has to do his thing, take his time and get healed up. … I feel like the guys that are out there right now are working hard, trying to get better, trying to stay healthy. … I love the offense. All we can do is try to build each other up and stay injury free.”
* RB Mike Goodson has a pre-trial hearing this morning in Morristown, N.J. Goodson is facing weapons and drug charges.