The 6-foot-5, 345-pound Kenrick Ellis brings a tremendous amount of physical ability to the inside of the defensive line.
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A weight-room injury has Kenrick Ellis sidelined for training camp as the third-year nose tackle loses snaps in what will likely be a crucial year for him.
Ellis wasn’t sure he could “disclose” if he has had an MRI but he said he will likely sit out this weekend against the Giants as he continues to receive rehab for the back injury. The tight-lipped Ellis wouldn’t divulge the how or why of the injury, other than it happened during a weightlifting session with teammates.
The injury shouldn’t keep him from the start of the regular season in two weeks.
“I was just competing with some of my teammates,” Ellis said. “It was an unfortunate freak accident. I think I’ll be good by the first game.”
The third-round pick out of Hampton in 2011 had 18 tackles last year and has yet to register a sack in the NFL. With the Jets cutting ties with Sione Pouha this offseason, Ellis, Damon Harrison and Lanier Coleman are battling for spots on the interior. In addition, first-round pick Sheldon Richardson could factor into the rotation on the inside of the defensive line.
He termed the nature of the injury as being “competitive” in the weight room as he tried to push himself and his teammates to get better. It went a little too far, he said.
“You’re in the weight room and you’re trying to get the better out of yourself and your teammates,” Ellis said. “It comes a time when you got to be smart about it and compete. Whereas in my case — showing [off] and accidents happen.
“Yes, I definitely expect to be ready for the regular season.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
