Ohio State draftee Jeremy Ruckert injured prior to rookie minicamp

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh said rookie tight end Jeremy Ruckert is dealing with a foot injury and will be reevaluated next week. Saleh is “hoping” Ruckert will able to get in some work this spring, according to a report.

The former Buckeye had a big year in 2021 for Ohio State, hauling in 26 receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns and was the third member of head coach Ryan Day’s receiving corps drafted in the first three rounds behind Chris Olave and fellow Jets draftee Garrett Wilson.

With rookie minicamp underway, Saleh called Ruckert a “bulldog” and that he was a guy “made of the right stuff” despite likely not being able to compete for the majority of spring practices.

“He is one of those all-around tight ends who’s got the ability in the pass game,” Saleh said. “He wasn’t featured as much at Ohio State when you have superstars [Wilson and Olave] all over the place. To me what makes him a bulldog is in the run game. He has the ability to strain the defense and is willing to go to the echo of the whistle to do his job. It’s a certain mentality down there, and he’s got that.”

For the time being, Ruckert can sit behind former Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, who combined for a total 110 receptions for 1,086 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. While he recovers his body, he can focus on picking the brains of the veterans ahead of him.

“I think it’s a great situation to come into,” Rucker said about his new teammates. “C.J. reached out the night of draft. The biggest thing for me I want to gain from them is their trust. I’m here to work and get better. That’s the biggest thing for me, to gain the trust of my teammates and coaching staff. I can’t wait to work with them.

“I want to be the best at everything I do, represent the organization the right way, handle myself the right way and perfect my craft so I can be one of the greats.”