Jets defensive end Will McDonald went close to the quarterback on Saturday but was penalized.
McDonald used a beautiful spin move to evade Commanders tackle Mason Brooks and then released the ball to quarterback Jeff Driskel.
Officials threw a flag for a suspected pass roughing foul, but it was overruled by an offsetting foul by the Commanders in the Jets’ 20-17 preseason win.
After the game, McDonald said he didn’t think he should have been flagged.
“Personally, I don’t think it was pass roughing,” McDonald said. “I don’t care what other people think.” [except the official’s]”… It’s the umpire. The umpire has to do his job. I just keep playing. I had already moved on to the next play.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said he was told by the umpires that McDonald landed with his full weight on Driskel, which was a violation.
This will be an important preseason for McDonald, who is the team’s first-round draft pick in 2023.
He’s competing for playing time and with Haason Reddick opting out, he’s getting a chance to showcase what he can do in training camp.
Saleh was excited about the performance of second-year cornerback Jarick Bernard-Converse.
The man known as “JBC” was caught on a 42-yard pass to Diami Brown on the game’s first series.
But Bernard Converse rebounded and had some good moments in coverage.
“From a defensive standpoint, that was probably the coolest play, because he got hit with that go-ball,” Saleh said. “It’s so easy to let your guard down, get caught up in your own thoughts and play scared, but he still played chest-to-chest. He continued to cover tight. He still showed his pressing technique and made a lot of plays with the ball. I’m really, really proud of JBC and the way he bounced back.”
Rookie OT Olu Fashanu played the entire first half, more minutes than any other offensive lineman who started the game.
Saleh said he wants to give his rookies more practice time.
The Jets are hoping Fashanu won’t have to play this season.
That means starting tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses stayed healthy.
That’s why the Jets want Fashanu to get plenty of practice time during the preseason.
“If that’s all his playing time is going to be a great year,” Saleh said.
Rookie linebacker Jimmy Sciaro left the game with a knee injury.
