CORTLAND, N.Y. – The New York Jets reported for training camp without Mike Goodson.
The running back, who is facing serious legal issues, was placed on the reserve-did not report list as the players arrived for training camp at SUNY Cortland on Thursday.
Goodson, signed as a free agent in the offseason, was arrested on drug and weapons possession charges in May along with a friend in New Jersey. The case was sent to a grand jury last month. It was not immediately certain if Goodson's absence was related to his legal situation.
Coach Rex Ryan said in a statement after media availability Thursday that the team knew Goodson wasn't going to report to camp on time and "we understand why he's not here." The team provided no further details.
Goodson's agent did not immediately respond to an email sent by The Associated Press seeking comment.
Goodson, who played last season with Oakland, was arrested with Garant Evans after they were found in a car stopped on Interstate 80 in New Jersey. The men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses. Police said they found a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a hollow-point bullet in the vehicle.
The 25-year-old Goodson has pleaded not guilty and took part in some preseason practices with the Jets, who signed him to a three-year, $6.9 million deal.
Also not reporting with the team for the start of training camp was first-round pick Dee Milliner, the No. 9 overall selection out of Alabama.
While a lengthy holdout by Milliner is not expected, Ryan said he was "a little disappointed he's not here." Milliner did not practice with the Jets throughout the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery, but is expected to compete with Kyle Wilson for the starting job opposite Antonio Cromartie which was vacated by the trade of Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay.
The Jets made the signings of wide receiver Braylon Edwards and first-round pick Sheldon Richardson official, as both joined the team in Cortland. New York also announced the signing of veteran defensive lineman Leger Douzable, who tried out for the team in minicamp last month.
Edwards, in his third stint with the Jets, took a physical with the team Wednesday, and was signed to a one-year deal Thursday morning to add depth to a receiving corps that lacks experience. Leading receiver Santonio Holmes will start training camp on the active-physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a serious foot injury that ended his season last year after four games.
"Like I've said in the past, this feels like home," Edwards said. "The people here have always made me feel welcome, and I feel like I've done my best work here."
Edwards, 30, said he is healthy, down to 214 pounds from 228 last year, and "came here to start."
Richardson, the No. 13 overall pick, signed a four-year deal Thursday morning, and is expected to see lots of playing time on the defensive line. The former Missouri star said he was nervous that a deal wouldn't get done for him to report with the rest of the team.
"My agent just told me to keep cool and stay confident, and we'll get it done," Richardson said. "And, he got it done."
Running back Joe McKnight was placed on the active-non-football injury list after failing his physical. He is with the team and can be activated as soon as he passes the physical.
Defensive end Jake McDonough and wide receiver Thomas Mayo were waived with injury settlements.
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