Jeremy Ruckert told reporters in March that he has plantar fasciitis
The New York Jets have placed tight end Jeremy Ruckert on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
The news is not unexpected to the team. SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reported a week after the draft that head coach Robert Saleh said he hoped that Ruckert would get in some work in the spring.
Back before the draft, Ruckert told reporters he has plantar fasciitis from a foot injury sustained during the Senior Bowl. The ailment kept Ruckert from working out at both the NFL Combine and the Ohio State pro day.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network tweeted in March that Ruckert’s injury was more serious than anyone was letting on.
Given that the Jets knew about Ruckert’s injury prior to the draft and took him anyway, this news is not alarming. Still, it does put Ruckert at a disadvantage as a rookie. He was already going to have an uphill battle for playing time on a team that signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin during free agency.
The former Buckeye put up modest production in his four years in college, catching 54 balls for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns. Still, the Jets drafted him as a developmental prospect for a system that loves two-tight end sets.
Ruckert showed upside as a blocker and answered the bell when his number was called as a receiver in college.
The Jets pick at No. 101 has become well-known in fan circles for his family’s Jets fandom, particularly his dad’s “J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!” chant as Ruckert signed his rookie contract.
Now, Ruckert finds himself somewhat behind the eight-ball as rookies report to training camp.
I read other articles from Jets writers about this and all said it was “expected”, “nothing to see here”;
but choosing him was one of our only head-scratchers among the “experts” (Clemmons too). Inasmuch as he was not in a heavy TE system and has little production to see, this development concerns me. Could we have chosen a run-stopping DT or ILB?
I don’t disagree.
Nothing to say, but, “get well soon.” ‘Cause this mf’er about to be taxiing down the runway. Might have to catch the red eye, kid.