Jets rookie cornerback Dexter McDougle tears ACL in practice Sunday
By Mike Marteny
New York Jets rookie cornerback Dexter McDougle tore his left ACL during practice this morning. His injury occurred during a jump ball one on one drill against the receivers in the corner of the end zone. Stephen Hill made a catch over McDougle, who immediately fell to the ground. His cleat got stuck in the ground as he landed.
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McDougle was the Jets third round pick in this year’s draft out of the University of Maryland. He missed all but three games last season with a shoulder injury.
He was expected to compete with Kyle Wilson for the primary backup cornerback job this preseason, and had been playing rather well.
Penciled in starter Dimitri Patterson has been nursing nagging calf and ankle injuries, so McDougle had been seeing quite a bit of time with the first team defense. Jets head coach Rex Ryan said that he wanted to see McDougle drop some weight and get in better shape. “I think that once he does that, he’s got a heck of a chance.” Ryan said of his rookie corner.
Those chances will likely have to wait until 2015 now with the ACL tear.
Later in practice, starting corner Dee Milliner also left practice with an ankle injury. There is no word on how long he will be out.
This means much more practice time for Darrin Walls and Ellis Lankster in the coming days.
The secondary was already a weak spot for the Jets, so they cannot afford any more injuries at the position.