Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Jets' prized rookie Jamal Adams injures ankle in practice

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It has been an eventful week for rookie safety Jamal Adams.

The New York Jets’ first-round draft pick, who made national news Monday with his "die on the field" comments, sprained an ankle during the early portion of Thursday's practice and sat out for the remainder of the day.

It doesn't appear serious. Adams, injured in a 7-on-7 drill, watched the rest of practice from the sideline. There will be no MRI exam, according to coach Todd Bowles.

"I don't know how bad or how much he sprained it, but I know he sprained it, so we kept him out," Bowles said.

After practice, Adams tweeted that he's OK.

Adams, drafted sixth overall, has been working with the starters since the offseason practices. Adams and fellow rookie Marcus Maye are poised to start as a tandem. The top backups are Rontez Miles, Doug Middleton and Shamarko Thomas.

Adams spoke to reporters on Tuesday, attempting to clarify his controversial remarks from a fan forum. Responding to a fan's question about the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), he said the football field would be "the perfect place to die." He said Bowles told him to "clear it up" the next day, and he did by saying he was expressing his passion for the game.

Bowles, commenting for the first time, said the media blew it out of proportion.

"You knew what he meant, but when there's no news going on and you want to make news, you can make news anytime you want," he said. "Here in the city, in New York especially, when you misstep and make a mistake or quote something like that, people take it and run with it."

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