Jets Place Mike Goodson On Reserve-Did Not Report List
CORTLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York Jets reported for training camp without Mike Goodson.
Facing serious legal issues, the running back was placed on the reserve-did not report list as the players arrived for training camp at SUNY Cortland on Thursday.
Goodson, signed as a free agent in the offseason, was arrested on drug and weapons possession charges in May along with a friend in New Jersey. The case was sent to a grand jury last month.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the running back's absence was related to "personal matters" and not his legal situation.
Coach Rex Ryan said in a statement after media availability Thursday that the team knew Goodson wasn't going to report to camp on time and "we understand why he's not here." The team provided no further details.
"Mike is attending to some personal matters," Goodson's agent Kennard McGuire said in an email to The Associated Press. "The Jets and (general manager) John Idzik are aware and are very supportive."
Goodson, who played last season with Oakland, was arrested with Garant Evans after they were found in a car stopped on Interstate 80 in New Jersey. The men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses. Police said they found a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a hollow-point bullet in the vehicle.
The 25-year-old Goodson has pleaded not guilty and took part in some preseason practices with the Jets, who signed him to a three-year, $6.9 million deal.
Also not reporting with the team for the start of training camp was first-round pick Dee Milliner, the No. 9 overall selection out of Alabama.
While a lengthy holdout by Milliner is not expected, Ryan said he was "a little disappointed he's not here." Milliner didn't practice with the Jets throughout the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery, but is expected to compete with Kyle Wilson for the starting job opposite Antonio Cromartie which was vacated by the trade of Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay.
The Jets made the signings of wide receiver Braylon Edwards and first-round pick Sheldon Richardson official, as both joined the team in Cortland. New York also announced the signing of veteran defensive lineman Leger Douzable, who tried out for the team in minicamp last month.
Edwards, in his third stint with the Jets, took a physical with the team Wednesday, and was signed to a one-year deal Thursday morning to add depth to a receiving corps that lacks experience. Leading receiver Santonio Holmes will start training camp on the active-physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a serious foot injury that ended his season last year after four games.
"Like I've said in the past, this feels like home," Edwards said. "The people here have always made me feel welcome, and I feel like I've done my best work here."
Edwards, 30, said he is healthy, down to 214 pounds from 228 last year, and "came here to start."
Richardson, the No. 13 overall pick, signed a four-year deal Thursday morning, and is expected to see lots of playing time on the defensive line. The former Missouri star said he was nervous that a deal wouldn't get done for him to report with the rest of the team.
"My agent just told me to keep cool and stay confident, and we'll get it done," Richardson said. "And, he got it done."
Running back Joe McKnight was placed on the active-non-football injury list after failing his conditioning test. He was activated and back on the field Friday morning.
Defensive end Jake McDonough and wide receiver Thomas Mayo were waived with injury settlements.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
