Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq underwent a “minor procedure” to repair a hernia issue that dates back to his time at Oregon last season, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday.
Sadiq will miss the remainder of OTAs and is expected to be ready for training camp.
“Something that he dealt with, and we knew about, going through his last year of college and he dealt with during rookie minicamp,” Glenn said, “and we wanted to make sure we got it done right after rookie minicamp.”
The Jets selected Sadiq at No. 16 overall last month to give their offense — with new starting quarterback Geno Smith and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich — an athletic tight end capable of lining up in a variety of places. Sadiq, a second-team All-American, caught 52 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns during his third and final season with the Ducks in 2025.
When healthy, Sadiq — who was on the field and watching during the Jets practice Thursday — will join wideout Garrett Wilson, receiver Omar Cooper Jr., tight end Mason Taylor and running back Breece Hall as the primary pieces of the Smith-led offense.
He also described a desire to contribute to the running game with blocking during his introductory press conference.
“I think, one, I’ve kinda always had it,” Sadiq said in April when asked about being a pass-catching tight end who also enjoys blocking. “I think it’s how I think the game should be played — kind of with like love, passion, aggression, all those things. But like I said, it really just comes down to how much I love the game, what I’m willing to do for teammates and things like that.”
The Jets will have an open competition for their backup quarterback job, Glenn said.
Bailey Zappe will open as the No. 2 option, but “that can change.” Cade Klubnik, the Jets’ fourth-round pick out of Clemson, was incredibly sharp in the first OTAs session open to reporters.
Geno Smith said that Klubnik can “spin the heck out of the ball.”
Demario Davis, drafted by the Jets in 2012 and re-acquired in 2017 via trade, “never would’ve thought in a million years” that he would’ve been back that second time — let alone a third time.
But after eight seasons, 31 ½ sacks and 954 total tackles with the Saints, that’s exactly what happened when he inked a two-year, $22 million deal with the Jets.’
“But for me, I always try to find a positive perspective,” Davis said, “and I guess it’s just where I’m meant to be. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Glenn said the Jets will utilize rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds — their second-round pick — at both outside corner and nickel.
“Let’s just see if he can continue to handle that because sometimes it’s different doing it in the classroom than doing it on the field,” Glenn said.
The Jets had 100 percent attendance Wednesday, according to Glenn, but offensive lineman Joe Tippmann wasn’t on the field Thursday. … Kicker Younghoe Koo, signed Wednesday, will be part of the Jets’ competition, Glenn said. Cade York won’t practice this week due to a groin injury.