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Adonai Mitchell may have been dealing with more than a finger injury. It appears he also has a case of amnesia — at least when it comes to the finger on his right hand that has kept him out of action for four games.
The Jets’ No. 2 receiver addressed the media Friday for the first time since sustaining the mystery injury in late September. But Mitchell didn’t recall how he hurt the finger, if an operation was a must as he remained sidelined or any other details regarding the injury.
“I really can’t even think back that far,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been so focused on what I want to do, which is to be back out there with the guys. That really slipped my mind.”
Asked if he was surprised that he missed so much time, he said: “To be honest with you, I really can’t tell you. I’ve just been so locked in and so ready to get back and help the team. That’s all I’ve been thinking about. That’s all I can think about.”
Most importantly to the Jets, Mitchell is ready to return Sunday against the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. He practiced fully Friday.
Asked how the finger feels when catching passes, the speedy receiver said: “I feel great, man. I got 10 of them things. I’m just ready to ball with the guys.”
Head coach Aaron Glenn initially listed Mitchell as day to day after he popped up on the injury list Sept. 24. Glenn said Mitchell got his finger caught in a teammate’s jersey. He didn’t play that Sunday against the Lions. A few weeks later, the team acknowledged Mitchell underwent a minor procedure.
Getting Mitchell back will give the Jets their full allotment of pass catchers for the first time since the opening drive of Week 1. Rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. suffered an ankle injury in that game, and didn’t return until last Sunday’s loss to the Patriots, when the first-round pick hauled in six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.
The offense has struggled to put the ball in the end zone in recent weeks, managing only four touchdowns over the last three games. On the season, the Jets are averaging 18.7 points, the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Over the first two weeks with a healthy Mitchell, they put up a combined 40 points. Mitchell, the Jets’ top deep threat, caught nine passes for 123 yards in those contests.
“I can’t even put into words how excited I am,” Mitchell said. “I think we have all the pieces that we need, and I just can’t wait.”
Said Geno Smith: “With all the playmakers that we have, when you have a guy like AD out there, he can stretch the field, he can be a possession guy, and I think him, Garrett [Wilson], Coop, they just present a lot of different challenges for the defense. And so the more guys, the merrier.”
The 2-4 Jets find themselves at a crucial juncture of the season, with two home games against beatable opponents, the Browns and Raiders. It is a chance for them to get back to .500. Mitchell is eager to make an impact.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I just want to help the team, contribute to some W’s. That’s all I’ve been thinking about.”