Kenrick

Ellis

The trial was originally scheduled for late November. The reason for the postponement isn’t clear, but the Jets can now rest assured that Ellis will be available for the entire season. He made his NFL debut as a situational run-stuffer on Monday night.

Ellis played limited snaps, as expected. The Dolphins ran just a few tenths of a point north of their 4.3 yards per carry average entering Monday, as the Jets allowed 118 yards on 25 carries for a 4.7 yards per carry mark. The 346-pound run-plugger’s development is a wild-card for a Jets run defense that is struggling to meet its lofty expectations.

A key part of the Jets’ defensive interior, DeVito’s snaps will have to be picked up by NT Kenrick Ellis and DE Marcus Dixon. At 346 pounds Ellis is a massive run-plugger, but his conditioning will be an issue. Dixon, on the other hand, will be playing out of position. The only remaining backup, DE Ropati Pitoitua (knee), is questionable for Sunday. With the line suddenly shook up, Ryan Mathews is shaping up to be an excellent play.

Ellis’ trial has been delayed three times, but appears set to actually be a go. The 2011 third-round pick will stand trial in Hampton, Va. Ellis attended Hampton University. Not a U.S. citizen, Ellis is facing up to 20 years in prison and possible deportation to his native Jamaica if found guilty. Buried on the depth chart behind NT Sione Pouha, Ellis played just 69 snaps as a rookie.

This is the third time Ellis’ trial, which was originally scheduled for last July, has been pushed back. Not a U.S. citizen, Ellis would be facing deportation to his native Jamaica if found guilty. A third-round pick, Ellis was used sparingly during his rookie season, notching just seven tackles in five games.

Even though the incident happened in college, Ellis could still receive a fine and/or suspension if found to be in violation of the league’s conduct policy. Earlier this week, Ellis accepted a plea-bargain and is expected to serve 90 days in jail in exchange for a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and battery. If he begins serving the full 90-day sentence right away, he would miss training camp and return in late August.

Ellis was given a 45-day sentence for the incident, dating back to Hampton University in 2010. Having already served half of the sentence, Ellis will wait until next offseason to serve the other half. Ellis’ NFL career has not been affected by the conviction.

Ellis was originally charged with malicious wounding after breaking the jaw and nose of a man during an altercation on the Hampton (Va.) University campus. A native of Jamaica, Ellis will avoid deportation after the deal. He would miss training camp and return in late August if he begins serving the full 90-day sentence right away.

He’ll only miss the “first few days of training camp,” with league discipline possibly forthcoming. Ellis will serve 90 days behind bars all told, but the sentence appears to have been split. He’s currently eligible to play in Week 1.

It sounds like Ellis has a tear in his MCL. The Jets were already giving up 172.4 yards per game on the ground and now figure to be even worse. Colts rookie RB Vick Ballard has a plus matchup as he gets his first NFL start Sunday.