Jets' special teams contributor back at practice following injury vs. Panthers

These are critical days for bubble players fighting for NFL roster spots, and one can't prove anything when not on the field.

For New York Jets ' wide receiver Irv Charles, who has a path to the 53-man roster as a proven special teams gunner, the situation could've been way worse. Charles left Saturday's game with a hip injury , and the severity was not known until Monday.

"Irv, we should, hopefully, get him back either tomorrow or Wednesday," said head coach Robert Saleh after Charles was sidelined for the first practice of the week.

As it turned out, the 27-year-old Charles was back on the practice field for Tuesday's session, which was open to ticketed spectators. With the first-teamers not participating one day prior to the scheduled joint practice against the New York Giants Charles has the chance to flash at receiver.

The South Jersey product put his ability on display in the first half against the Carolina Panthers on August 17. Before exiting, Charles made the tackle on the opening kickoff and came within a whisker of blocking a first-quarter punt.

With the Jets having lost Pro Bowl gunner Justin Hardee in free agency, there is an open spot that could wind up going to Charles.

Charles was active for 12 regular season games in 2023, logging 236 snaps on special teams.

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