Following a Week 11 concussion during a special teams play, Jets cornerback Dwight Lowery made a return to the field Monday night during New York’s 45-3 defeat at Foxborough.
Lowery played primarily on special teams, but anticipates a bigger role on Sunday against Miami, as both his continued improving health and Jets depth concerns in the secondary are forcing him into a more prominent role.
After nearly two weeks of treatment and rehab, Lowery took to the field ahead of the New England game. He didn’t play as much he’d like to, but he admits that it takes time to work your way back after an injury that severe. He was still feeling the effects for several days after the concussion.
“I wasn’t balls to the wall, so to speak,” he said.
Lowery is listed as a cornerback, but given last Friday’s season-ending broken leg to Jim Leonhard and then the MCL/ankle sprain by James Ihedigbo in Foxboro, the third-year player will likely be making the move over to safety. While saddened by the injuries, Lowery admits it’s an opportunity.
“But, at the same time, I’m thankful for the opportunity. It feels natural for me,” Lowery said.
And the reason why playing safety fits like a glove for the 5-foot-11 Lowery is that he’s done it before. During his two years of junior college at Cabrillo College, Lowery was an impact player at safety before transferring to San Jose State. While with the Spartans, he made the move to cornerback.
“Playing corner, in the dime package, I can do it,” Lowery said. “But it’s not my strong suit.”
And the Jets face an impressive Miami offense spearheaded by quarterback Chad Henne, a notorious Jets killer. Henne is 2-1 lifetime in his three starts against New York and has thrown for 716 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception in those three games. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Anthony Fasano are also dangerous targets for Lowery and the secondary to shut down.
And given the drubbing against New England where quarterback Tom Brady threw at will for four touchdowns, Lowery feels that it will be a good game for the Jets defense to come out and make a statement and perhaps put those proverbial balls against the proverbial wall.
“They’ll definitely be a good test for us especially with what happened Monday,” Lowery said.
