New Jet LaRon Landry said his speedy recovery from a foot injury suffered last year “is shocking myself,” but the former first-round pick isn’t yet ready to commit to being healthy for the start of training camp.
Much like the first day of minicamp, Landry participated in light jogging and stretching with the team yesterday, but didn’t participate in team drills. Landry spent much of the last month in Arizona, recovering from what was originally called an Achilles injury.
“Basically I came for the first couple of weeks of offseason training and then after that, went back to Arizona to have procedures done,” Landry said. “That was my choice and decision to go back so that they could finish — complete whatever I had to do rehab wise, strength and conditioning. I felt real comfortable going back and I had no doubt that I would come back and not be ahead of the game.”
Landry, a hard-hitting safety, was the prize free agent signing of head coach Rex Ryan, but he has been plagued with injuries throughout his career.
Rather than have surgery, Landry instead went the route of alternative treatments, including stem cell treatment and platelet rich plasma therapy. The injection of platelets into an injured area promotes healing and growth of the area.
“I did one treatment, was supposed to do three. Didn’t have to do the other two,” Landry said. “That’s a blessing; I’m ahead of the game.”
Landry signed a one-year contract with the Jets in mid-March and the time during OTAs would have been beneficial for him to learn the playbook and understand the defense better. He said that upon returning to the team this week his teammates teased him in the meetings with the defense, asking “Who is the new guy?”
Landry admits that the biggest negative from missing OTAs is now being behind in understanding the defense.
“Just being in the playbook as a whole, I’ve got to get caught up with that,” Landry said. “I had my playbook; it’s not like I wasn’t into it. Basically just getting out there, communicating with the guys, getting on the same page.”
Landry’s absence from the team is no indication of a lack of excitement to be with the Jets. His brother, Dawan, spent five years with Ryan in Baltimore before signing with Jacksonville last year.
“When I was going on my visits, [he said] ‘As soon as you go to the Jets just sign. No need to look anywhere else, you’re going to love it.’ The way this organization does things as a whole is the right way,” Landry said.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for live updates from Florham Park as the Jets complete their minicamp Thursday.
