Jets Trying Joe McKnight as Emergency Defensive Back

Joe McKnight’s career path has been far from what anyone could have expected. Recruited out of high school in Louisiana, McKnight was billed as “the next Reggie Bush.” He came to USC and never emerged from a talented, crowded backfield in Southern California. After a controversy over an SUV (which sources told LBS did in fact belong to his girlfriend), McKnight decided to leave school early for the pros. He was drafted in the 4th round by the Jets and has only seen carries in one game, back in week four against the Bills.

The subject of ridicule during HBO’s Hard Knocks training camp show, McKnight is now finding action as a defensive back. Coach Rex Ryan says McKnight has been working as a corner back — a position in which he excelled during high school — and that he will likely serve as an emergency, number five DB on Sunday. Ryan further boosted McKnight’s ego saying the rookie is “ready to explode” as a running back. Nothing like instilling some confidence in a young player. I don’t know about you, but I’m really hoping we get a chance to see McKnight play on the other end.

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