D.J. Reed is throwing a flag on himself for overreacting.
One of the Jets’ most thoughtful leaders was apologetic Thursday for sending a tweet that criticized NFL officials after Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks.
The Jets were flagged 12 times, including an early defensive holding against Reed and four penalties on the Seahawks’ game-winning fourth-quarter drive.
“I was just emotional,” Reed said. “I definitely shouldn’t have said that, but I’m a human. It was a frustrating game that I thought we should’ve won but we ended up losing.”
With the loss still fresh, Reed wrote to the verified NFL Officiating account that “you f—ing suck, y’all should be ashamed of yourselves.”
About 72 hours later, Reed said, “The refs do the best of their ability just like I do the best of my ability. Some calls may be controversial, but that’s just part of the game. I have to give them leeway. Having time to reflect on it, I was in the wrong and I should not have said that.”
Reed said he has not yet received a fine from the NFL for his uncharacteristic outburst.
History says he should expect one.
“The call I got I didn’t agree with, and that’s where it started,” Reed said. “On that long drive, going back and watching the tape, most of the calls were justifiable.”
CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) is very much in danger of missing his first game of the season and second of his career after undergoing an MRI exam.
Games against the Dolphins essentially are track meets, which are traps for turning a minor hamstring injury into a major issue.
“He plays a position and we’re playing an opponent that you cannot play with a poor hamstring, in my opinion,” interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “If he’s feeling good and ready to rock and roll then we’ll let him play. If not, this is not a game we want him half speed.”
One game, one major award for Kene Nwangwu.
Nwangwu was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he paired a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with a forced fumble on kickoff coverage.
The former Second-Team All Pro for the Vikings was on the Jets practice squad all season.
He was elevated to make his season debut last week and was rewarded for his performance by being signed to the active roster.
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“The practice habits were as good as I’ve ever seen, and then for that to be a guy that’s never playing on Sundays … the practice would have never told you that,” Ulbrich said. “The practice would have said, ‘Man, that guy is a starter.’ ”
RT Morgan Moses (shoulder), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and RB Breece Hall (knee) did not practice. Ulbrich is holding out hope that the trio can play Sunday.
LT Olu Fashanu (toe) was a limited participant. LB C.J. Mosley (neck) was a full participant.
WR Allen Lazard and OL Wes Schweitzer returned as full practice participants and could be activated from injured reserve in time to face the Dolphins.
“Two guys that we’re also hopeful that by the end of the week will be ready to go,” Ulbrich said.
