Jets Stick With Kicker Jason Sanders After Week 1 Performance

The New York Jets will continue with Jason Sanders as their primary kicker for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, coach Aaron Glenn announced Friday. This decision comes after Sanders' performance in the team's opening-week win against the Tennessee Titans.

Sanders had an up-and-down training camp, which led the Jets to bring in Blake Grupe from waivers. However, in the season opener, Sanders missed a 54-yard field goal early in the game but later redeemed himself by making two field goals from over 50 yards.

"Sanders will be the kicker," Glenn stated. "I thought it was critical to see him go through that miss and then be able to come back and make two 50-something yarders, which I thought was impressive."

Sanders acknowledged the boost in confidence that comes from overcoming a miss. "Every time you miss, when you come back and hit those, it’s definitely a nice little boost to your confidence," Sanders said. "Obviously, you don’t want to miss them, but I felt good."

Glenn commended Sanders' mental fortitude in bouncing back from a difficult camp and an early-game miss. "If you look at our team in general, including myself, we have a team of men that has [gone] through some things, that have fought through some adversity," Glenn said. "I’m attracted to people like that, because it’s not just the physical toughness, but the mental toughness that shows up."

Sanders, who was previously with the Miami Dolphins and was signed and cut by the Giants earlier in the offseason, emphasized the competitive nature of the position. "I think it’s like anytime there’s competition,’’ Sanders said. “It’s a good thing, no matter what position it is. … Nothing’s ever given, right? And everything’s earned.”

In other injury news, rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is expected to make his debut against the Packers after missing significant portions of training camp with a calf injury. Glenn indicated that while Ponds may not be at 100 percent, he is ready to play. The second-round pick from Indiana has shown promise in practice since recovering from his injury.

Will McDonald, who was unexpectedly added to the injury report with an ankle issue, is listed as questionable but is expected to play. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out with a groin injury, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is sidelined with an ankle injury.

With rain anticipated for Sunday's game, the Jets announced that ponchos will be provided to attendees at MetLife Stadium, while supplies last.