Jets RB Joe McKnight Arrested Last Week For Outstanding Traffic Warrants
CORTLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Jets are trying to avoid controversy this season.
Instances like this won't help.
Jets running back Joe McKnight was arrested last week in New Jersey for outstanding traffic warrants after being stopped by police.
McKnight was pulled over in Hanover Township last Tuesday morning, an off day for players from camp at SUNY Cortland, for changing lanes without signaling, according to Police Chief Steve Gallagher. After stopping McKnight, police discovered the two outstanding warrants: one for failure to produce an insurance card in Summit, N.J., while the other was for failure to observe a traffic signal in Springfield.
McKnight was then arrested and later posted $320 bail — the amount of the warrants — and released with summons for unsafe lane change and having an uninsured vehicle.
The Jets declined comment on the arrest. Coach Rex Ryan said "we're aware of it," but had no further comment on the incident. McKnight wasn't available to speak to the media.
McKnight has been back with the Jets since the incident, but hasn't practiced since last Friday after experiencing concussion-like symptoms following a hit during a play. The Jets said McKnight is going through the league's protocol on head injuries, but have not termed the injury a "concussion."
He has also been dealing with cramping issues throughout camp, including failing the conditioning test before the team left for Cortland.
"He's in phenomenal shape," Ryan said. "There's just some guys who have some anxiety in some situations, and I think that's more than anything because the very next day he runs it. He's always done it, and just some guys are like that.
"It's not an indication Joe's not in shape because he is in shape."
McKnight was the team's fourth-round draft pick out of Southern California in 2010, and has been the Jets' primary kick returner the last two seasons. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including a franchise-record 107-yarder in 2011 against Baltimore that also stands as the team's longest play.
McKnight, 25, is the latest Jets running back to deal with legal issues. Mike Goodson 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 in June, and Goodson has pleaded not guilty.
Goodson is on the reserve-did not report list, and it is uncertain when or if he will rejoin the team. The Jets have said they are aware of where Goodson is, and why, and general manager John Idzik has said that the team is approaching the situation "day by day."
Goodson's absence from camp is not believed to be related to his legal situation.
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