On the day they reported to training camp, the Jets bolstered their pass rush.
The team signed veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin on the eve of camp, hoping he can provide some depth on the defensive line and help them get to the quarterback.
Babin, 34, has 62 ½ career sacks and had 7 ½ last season for the Jaguars. Jacksonville released Babin in June, just three months after re-signing him.
Coach Rex Ryan said he is confident Babin still can play.
“I think when you look at the tape from last year that you see that he has plenty left in the tank,” Ryan said. “The way he plays, I think even the way he practices I think he’s going to bring that type of intensity and that type of passion, and I doubt we have that same question tomorrow when you see him on the field.”
The signing indicates the Jets are concerned about the health of Antwan Barnes, who still is recovering from knee surgery. Barnes, who hurt his knee in Week 5 last year, was placed on the active/PUP list Wednesday, meaning he won’t be practicing with the Jets until the doctors clear him.
RB Chris Johnson said surgeon Dr. James Andrews has cleared him to practice after undergoing right knee surgery in January. Johnson missed all of the spring program.
“I’m real anxious,” Johnson said. “Anytime [you’re] coming back into camp, I haven’t taken the hits since last year and that stuff, [I] haven’t worn pads since then. I’m just anxious to get out there and get that first hit out of the way and just get back to having fun.”
Johnson participated in the conditioning test, and Ryan said he was “flying.”
Even with medical clearance, it would not be surprising if the Jets hold Johnson back or even out of some practices in training camp as a precaution.
DE Muhammad Wilkerson is scheduled to earn just $1.2 million this season despite being the best player on the team. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option for 2015, but have not given him a long-term deal yet.
Even so, Wilkerson said he never considered holding out.
“Holding out was never an option for me,” he said. “I’m one of the leaders on this team. That wouldn’t be a good thing to do. That’s not a way a leader would lead his team. On the business side, everything will get handled when the time comes.”
A holdout would have been costly for Wilkerson. Players are fined $30,000 a day for missing practice.
TE Jeff Cumberland was excused from reporting for personal reasons. He is expected to be in camp Thursday. … Guard Willie Colon (knee, biceps) was placed on the active/PUP list. … Ryan said every player passed his conditioning test, even the injured Barnes and Colon.