#Jets got ‘lucky’ to avoid COVID-19 outbreak

The Jets got through their final practice of the season Friday without returning any more positive COVID-19 tests.

Adam Gase didn’t want to fully pat the organization on the back just yet ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Patriots, but the Jets are on track to finish the regular season with just one player testing positive in rookie running back La’Mical Perine earlier this week.

“I think they did a good job,” Gase said Friday. “We got a little lucky in the aspect of, we didn’t lose a ton of guys in the middle of the season. I mean, we still got a couple days to go, I don’t want to get too far ahead after seeing what happened to Cleveland last week. I think guys have tried to do the right things, hopefully we can just finish it off the right way.”

The Jets have had their fair share of injuries, but they haven’t been ransacked by COVID-19 the way some other teams have — either through multiple positive tests or positive tests and other high-risk close contacts.

“I don’t know what I expected, to be honest with you,” Gase said. “I knew it was going to be challenging because you’re at the mercy of something you can’t really see. You never knew when you were going to walk in, like the other day, where they’re like, ‘Hey, these six guys we’re holding out and they’re all starters on your defense.’ Or what Cleveland went through last week where it’s Saturday, you’re getting ready to take off for another city and they’re like, ‘Yep, all these all these guys are out.’

“It was a valuable learning experience to say the least.”

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After being designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, right guard Greg Van Roten (toe) has a chance to be activated for Sunday’s game.

“It’s definitely a possibility,” Gase said.

It would be a timely return, with Van Roten’s backup, Josh Andrews, going on injured reserve this week. Conor McDermott filled in for Andrews when he got injured last Sunday against the Browns.

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CB Bless Austin did not practice for a third straight day because of a non-COVID-19 illness. He is questionable for Sunday’s game, as are CB Javelin Guidry (knee) and WR Jeff Smith (shoulder), who were limited Friday.

The Patriots ruled out center David Andrews, RB Damien Harris and G Shaq Mason while listing 16 more players as questionable.

“I’m sure you guys looked at their injury report [Thursday], I think almost every guy on the roster is on there. There could be multiple reasons for that,” Gase said with a grin.