Jordan

White

White is an ultra-productive receiver, with 1,911 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He lacks acceleration and burst in his routes, but White is certainly smooth and observant downfield. With very reliable hands and an ability to adjust to poorly thrown passes, White’s success will come between the numbers in traffic since he struggles to separate.

White fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during an OTA practice in May. Despite putting up 1,911 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sixth-year senior at Western Michigan, White’s future is in jeopardy after his third major injury since 2006.

White fractured a bone in his left foot back on May 21 and he isn’t expected to resume workouts until training camp. It puts his chances of making the final 53 in doubt despite the Jets’ weak receiving corps. White also had major knee injuries in 2006 and 2008, earning six years of eligibility from the NCAA. The Jets now have all eight of their draft picks under contract.

White broke his foot during a May OTA session. A prolific but injury-prone receiver for Western Michigan, White is going to have to impress early and often to crack the Jets’ 53. If he has an NFL future, it’s in the slot.

The Jets say White could return for the start of training camp, though that’s unrealistic. He might resume practicing in mid-August. White was the 244th overall pick in the draft. The injury may kill his chances of making the final 53.

Jeremy Kerley is the incumbent, but had a poor offseason and opened training camp with a hamstring injury. “We’re going to put the best three on the field, whoever that may be,” Lal explained. “If (seventh-round rookie) Jordan White comes back strong, he could be an inside player. ... The guy has some instincts.”

The coaches apparently like him in the slot, and he’s starting to mix in with the first-team offense. Be sure to take this report with a grain of salt, however. As banged up as the Jets are at receiver, someone has to work out as the starting slot receiver.

The White move may hint that Jeremy Kerley (hamstring, heel) won’t play Thursday night, although we’ll have to see. He’s listed as questionable. Walls and Fletcher are needed as depth against the Patriots’ three-receiver sets. They’re expected to go three-wide heavy with Rob Gronkowski unavailable.

25-year-old White was a seventh-round flier out of Western Michigan last year. He needed sports hernia surgery and was out for the rest of preseason.