The start to D'Angelo Ponds' NFL career didn't begin the way he envisioned. Ponds sustained a calf injury shortly after getting drafted in the second round with the 50th overall selection by the New York Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft. The injury forced him to miss nearly all of training camp as well as New York's three preseason games.
It was a tough setback for Ponds, who was garnering plenty of hype over the summer months. He was an impact player during Indiana's National Championship run, and put forth an impressive showing at the NFL Combine in the spring. After his initial setback, Ponds is getting healthy at the right time.
D'Angelo Ponds returns to practice just in time for Week 1
Ponds was able to participate in Tuesday's practice, which is a major positive development towards his potential availability for Week 1. The Jets are set to take on the Titans on Sunday afternoon, and having Ponds available would be a strong get for a New York secondary in desperate need of help.
D'Angelo Ponds practicing for the 1st time 👀
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) September 8, 2026
Getting healthy right in time for week one 📈✈#Jets | 🎥 @ZackBlatt pic.twitter.com/KjOndaoW1p
The Jets infamously failed to record a single interception last season. That's right, the New York defense didn't record a single interception through 17 games in 2025. It was the first time that had ever happend in NFL history, putting the Jets in unwanted territory. The previous record for fewest interceptions in a single-season was two by the 49ers in 2018.
Coming off of an abysmal season in the secondary, New York entered the NFL Draft needing as much help as possible. They found it in the second round with Ponds, and have high hopes for the former Hoosier to make an immediate impact––so long as he is healthy. As the week rolls on, it will be interesting to see if Ponds has any sort of injury designation for Week 1.
Along with injury reports, official depth charts for Week 1 have yet to be released. As it stands, Ponds is tentatively penciled in as a backup in New York's CB room. The current projected starters include Jarvis Brownlee Jr, Brandon Stephens, and Azareye'h Thomas. Other backups include Qwan'tez Stiggers and Nahshon Wright. That group is relatively unproven and full of inconsistent production in their respective careers, which could open the door for Ponds to see steady playing time once he is fully healthy.
Ponds delivered one of the most memorable plays in Indiana football history last season. His pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage against Oregon in the Peach Bowl was one of the defining plays of Indiana's National Championship run in the College Football Playoff. For his efforts, Ponds earned Peach Bowl Defensive Player of the Game honors. Here's another look at his famous interception, just because it truly never gets old:
When D'Angelo Ponds had a pick-6 on the 1st play of the game vs Oregon in the Peach Bowl #IUFB pic.twitter.com/7MDGzoER33
— Back Then Football (@BackThenFB) August 12, 2026
Ponds is one of a handful of players to follow Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana and thrive in Bloomington. In total, the Miami, FL native appeared in 28 games over two seasons with the Hoosiers, and racked up 118 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5 interceptions. Indiana fans are sure to be cheering him on whenever he takes the field for the Jets this season.
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