The New York Jets received an early injury scare at training camp, but the team seems to be taking the 'nothing to see here' approach.
Head coach Aaron Glenn doesn't expect rookie cornerback D'Angelo Ponds to miss significant time after news of a calf injury surfaced.
He was all smiles during the first practice of the summer. He was all business when speaking to the mediaafter the session.
"Ponds strained a calf. Don't think too much into that. I think he'll be just fine," Glenn said.
Glenn also shared positive updates on defensive linemen Mazi Smith and T'Vondre Sweat, helping maintain the upbeat atmosphere surrounding the Jets as training camp officially got underway. For the full quote, listen below:
HC Aaron Glenn provides an injury update ⬇️
🟢 D'Angelo Ponds (calf) ⚪️ Mazi Smith (hamstring) 🟢 T'Vondre Sweat (hamstring) pic.twitter.com/LVOGgYteCC
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 29, 2026
That optimism was evident before practice even began. Glenn spent part of the morning greeting players as they stretched, continuing to establish the energetic culture that's become a hallmark of his tenure.
Daps all around for Aaron Glenn as the Jets begin training camp pic.twitter.com/LDXlKbYMr0
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) July 29, 2026
The encouraging news on Ponds is especially noteworthy considering how highly the organization thinks of the rookie. Following the draft, when New York decided to select him 50th overall during Round 2 of the NFL Draft, general manager Darren Mougey revealed the Jets asked several wide receivers which cornerback gave them the toughest matchup in college. Time after time, the answer was the same.
Yes.. The answer most wideouts had was 'D'Angelo Ponds.'
Darren Mougey said the team asked multiple WRs in the pre-draft process who the toughest corner they faced in college was. Almost all of them who went up against D'Angelo Ponds said him pic.twitter.com/mGsIiLhPDz
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 25, 2026
The Jets drafted Ponds believing he could compete for meaningful snaps sooner rather than later, and Glenn's comments suggest there's little reason to believe a minor calf strain will alter those plans.
If the coach's assessment proves accurate, New York should have one of its most intriguing young defensive backs back on the practice field before long
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets' Aaron Glenn provides D'Angelo Ponds injury update
