HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -Chris Baker got to the New York Jets’ training facility at 6:30 a.m. and received the news he’s been waiting to hear since camp began.
“They said, ‘You’re up today,”’ the veteran tight end said. “And I was like, ‘OK, well, let’s go.”’
Baker was activated from the physically unable to perform list Monday after spending the first 11 days of camp on the sideline trying to rehabilitate his tweaked back. No longer limited to being a bike-riding bystander in practice, Baker worked with the first- and second-team offenses in the team’s morning session.
“I was happy,” he said. “I can’t remember missing any practices in the seven years I’ve been here in camp and even during the season, so it was a lot different for me to be over here and just working out and not being with the guys on the field. I was happy to get back out, for sure.”
Baker wasn’t very pleased just a few months ago. He ripped the organization and demanded a trade, saying the Jets refused to renegotiate his contract after telling his former agent they would look into things. He missed a portion of minicamp last month after hurting his back during practice, and was reportedly fined by the team for missing an injury treatment session.
The formerly disgruntled tight end later tempered his scathing remarks, saying his current agent and the team were in contract talks. He backed off Monday from commenting on those negotiations.
“I’m not going to talk about the contract today,” Baker said. “I’ll let my people and them handle that, so I’m just working on getting back on the field.”
Baker’s agent, Jonathan Feinsod, also declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.
Baker had career highs with 41 catches and 409 yards last season, but his role with the team was unclear after the Jets signed former Pro Bowler Bubba Franks and drafted speedy Purdue star Dustin Keller in the first round. They also have Jason Pociask, A.J. Schable and James Dearth, primarily a long snapper, on the roster.
“There’s four really good candidates,” coach Eric Mangini said, referring to Baker, Franks, Keller and Pociask. “They are all intelligent guys and they are all guys that can do different things.”
Baker is perhaps the best all-around tight end on the Jets’ roster. He’s a standout blocker, as well as an athletic pass-catcher. He lined up in two-tight end sets with Franks at times Monday.
“We have the ability to run two and three tight ends,” Baker said. “It’s a really good group of guys we’ve got, guys that can bring different things to the offense. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Despite the missed time, Baker doesn’t feel he’s behind mentally.
“I’m fortunate that this is my third year into the offense and we’ve added a few wrinkles, but I’ve been through that process the last two years, so I feel real good with the offense,” he said. “We’re excited, just trying to expand some of the things I can do for the team.”
Keller practiced and looked fine after leaving Saturday’s scrimmage with his left ankle wrapped. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles (thigh) was also back after missing a few days. Linebackers David Harris (leg) and Jason Trusnik (foot), wide receiver Marcus Henry (unspecified) and running back Jesse Chatman (unspecified) sat out the morning practice.
Notes: Mangini said he hadn’t yet decided on who will start at quarterback – Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens – in the preseason opener Thursday at Cleveland. “I’ll look at it, marinate on it and, you know, make a decision,” he said. “But it won’t be any sort of earth-shattering news.”
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