PHILADELPHIA — Stephen Hill did nothing to help or hurt his case for a roster spot in Thursday’s preseason finale.
The third-year wide receiver is on the bubble as the Jets need to make their final roster cuts by 4 p.m. Saturday. He caught one pass for 13 yards and dropped another in the five drives in the 37-7 loss to the Eagles.
After the game, Hill did not sound concerned about possibly being cut.
Asked if he feels like he’s done enough to make the 53-man roster, Hill said, “Yeah, I don’t know why I shouldn’t.”
Hill was not targeted in the first quarter. On the first drive of the second quarter, Matt Simms threw a short pass to Hill that he could not hold onto when he hit the ground. He came back two plays later and caught a 13-yard pass, his only reception of the night.
It was the end to an up-and-down training camp for Hill, the 2012 second-round pick, who had some strong moments in practice but did not have much production in the preseason games.
Hill’s main competitor for a roster spot is Greg Salas, who had one catch for 8 yards in the game. Salas, who also dropped a pass, has had a strong training camp and coach Rex Ryan spoke highly of him this week.
“We’ve got to really look at this tape,” Ryan said when asked about Hill. “We’ll see one way or the other.”
Former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez did not play in the game for the Eagles, but caught up with many of his former teammates before the game during warmups. He exchanged big hugs with Ryan, owner Woody Johnson and several players.
LeQuan Lewis and Ellis Lankster started at cornerback, the most uncertain position on the team. Lewis had an interception of Matt Barkley, but also gave up two long passes, one a 43-yard touchdown from Barkley to Arrelious Benn. Lankster was flagged twice for holding.
Michael Vick, who spent five seasons with the Eagles, started the game at quarterback for the Jets, but Ryan pulled him after one snap so the Philadelphia fans could give him an ovation.
Tajh Boyd threw a 42-yard touchdown to Clyde Gates in the second half. … RB Alex Green had a fumble, not what you want when you’re fighting for a roster spot. … Jalen Saunders returned punts in the game, his first since suffering a seizure on Aug. 15. … LB Nick Bellore (calf), S Josh Bush (quad) and CB Johnny Patrick (head) all left the game. Ryan was unsure how serious any of the injuries were.