After months of waiting, Jets rookie D'Angelo Ponds is ready for his NFL debut

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Sep 26, 2026

Published in Football

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It has been 249 days since D’Angelo Ponds last played in a football game.

On Sunday afternoon against the Lions in Detroit, the Jets rookie cornerback hopes that wait will end.

“It is good getting back into things,” Ponds told the Daily News. “I’ve been out a while, the longest I’ve been out in my career. It just feels good to be out there and play football and doing the thing that I love.”

Ponds was inactive for last Sunday’s game against the Packers despite practicing throughout the week. He injured his calf on the first day of training camp in July and did not practice again until Sept. 8.

The Jets have taken a cautious approach to his return.

“We wanted to make sure he got enough reps to make sure he’s ready to get ready to go,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “He’ll actually increase his reps this week and we’ll see how that goes.”

Gang Green selected Ponds in the second round, 50th overall, in this year’s draft. He helped Indiana win its first national championship and earned first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors.

In 15 games, Ponds recorded 61 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He was also named Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl.

Ponds is expected to contribute alongside fellow rookies David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., his teammate at Indiana. The Jets could use his help: They have gone 19 consecutive regular-season games without intercepting a pass.

Instead, Ponds has had to watch from the sideline, a difficult adjustment for the Miami native.

“Just not being able to go out there and compete and show my talents off,” Ponds said. “Just prove myself to the coaches.

“Not being able to do that was tough for me.”

At 5-8 and 182 pounds, Ponds has the build of a slot cornerback, but he held his own against some of the country’s best receivers at Indiana. That included matchups with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, his former teammate at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood, Fla.

Ponds, 21, welcomes the challenge of lining up across from any receiver. He plays aggressively in coverage and against the run.

While sidelined, he studied the playbook and took mental reps to prepare for his return.

“Just really studying the playbook and making sure I know what I’m doing when I get out there,” Ponds said. “Really just focusing on that and getting me mental reps and taking mental reps.

“Watching it, seeing things so I don’t make the same mistake other people make and correct it on my own.”

His potential NFL debut brings a demanding first test. The Lions’ offense features quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta. Through two games, Detroit is averaging 362 yards and 31 points.

After months of waiting, Ponds is eager for the chance to face them.

“I feel like it is going to be pure excitement,” Ponds said. “My first NFL game feels like it is going to be pure excitement and something I’ve been waiting on for a long time.”

Injury report

The Jets have a lengthy injury list entering their third game of the season.

Tight end Mason Taylor will miss Sunday’s game against the Lions with a thumb injury. Glenn said Taylor is week-to-week after the 2025 second-round pick missed practice all week.

Taylor has two catches for minus-2 yards this season. Expect rookie Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert and Jelani Woods to play bigger roles in his absence.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa will also miss Week 3. Fitzpatrick missed last weekend’s loss to the Packers after suffering a groin injury against the Titans in Week 1. Mauigoa injured his quad during the loss to Green Bay.

Running back and returner Kene Nwangwu is doubtful. He missed the first two games with a back injury.

Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell suffered a finger injury Thursday when it got caught in a jersey, according to Glenn. He is questionable for Sunday’s game after being seen during Friday’s practice wearing a club on his right hand. Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson are both ready, and one will be elevated from the practice squad.

Joseph Ossai (foot) is listed as questionable. He has not played since injuring his plantar fascia during the Jets’ preseason finale against the Giants last month. David Bailey was listed with an elbow injury, but he has no injury designation.

Jason Sanders will kick for the Jets for the third consecutive week. If the team wants to use him again after Sunday, it would have to sign him to the active roster. A practice squad player can be elevated up to three times during the regular season.

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