National Football League

Jets' Mangold returns to practice, no concussion

Published Aug. 18, 2010 9:05 p.m. ET

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Nick Mangold was back on the field, saying he doesn't have a concussion and his head is feeling normal again.

''Or, at least, Mangold normal,'' the All-Pro center said with a smile Wednesday.

Mangold returned to practice after missing the Jets' preseason opener against the Giants on Monday night with a headache following a blow to the head in practice last week.

''I just felt not right on Monday, and we were just playing it safe,'' he said.

Mangold went through tests to determine if he had a concussion. He anticipates being able to play in the Jets' next preseason game Saturday night at Carolina.

''That's my assumption going into it,'' he said. ''I wouldn't see any reason things would change.''

Mangold sat out two days of practices last week after being struck in the temple by teammate Sione Pouha during a play. He practiced Saturday, but felt ''foggy'' on Monday morning.

''It was the first time in five years I haven't felt right, so I voiced my concerns,'' he said. ''I've had a myriad of dings and bumps and all kinds of other stuff, but this time, it was a little different.''

Upon hearing that, coach Rex Ryan told Mangold to sit the game out Monday night.

''He's fine,'' Ryan said. ''He had a little bit of a headache, and I'm like, 'Oh, forget it.' I played doctor on that. He's fine.''

Mangold said he woke up feeling ''decent'' on Tuesday, and then felt fine by the time he reported for camp at SUNY Cortland later that night.

One of the wittiest players on the roster, Mangold offered another zinger when he asked if he was experiencing any fogginess.

''Just when I talk to you guys,'' he told reporters.

Mangold added that he thanks Pouha ''repeatedly'' for the hit, and is hoping to parlay his malaise into a meal.

''I'm actually looking to try to get a dinner out of it,'' he said. ''I figured that would be a good way to mend the fence, make things better.''

Mangold reported for camp on time despite being unhappy with his contract situation. He's making $3.3 million entering the final year of his rookie deal, but is seeking a long-term contract extension. Despite sitting out Monday night, he insisted he didn't think about whether he might have made a mistake by reporting without a new contract.

''It's part of the game,'' Mangold said. ''I've been fortunate that I haven't had any major injuries. I think that's also a function of me trying to play at a high level at all times. If you play not to get hurt, you're bound to get hurt.''

Notes: CB Darrelle Revis, locked in a contract dispute with the team, missed his 18th day of camp. He's looking to become the highest-paid player at his position, and is losing $16,523 for each day he's not with the team. ... Linebackers Josh Mauga (concussion) and Brashton Satele (ankle) missed practice, while fullbacks Jason Davis (ankle) and John Conner (knee) were limited. LB Lance Laury was also limited after getting stitches in his lip Monday night when he was injured on Eric Smith's blocked punt against the Giants. Ryan said DB Donovan Warren has a head injury that could be a concussion, pending tests. ... Mangold said Wednesday was ''National Meat Day'' in honor of G Brandon Moore, who was given his first ''healthy scratch'' from practice in nine seasons. The team hung a No. 65 jersey on the field to tease Moore, nicknamed ''Meat'' by his teammates, who got the day off - along with linebacker Bart Scott, defensive lineman Mike DeVito and tight end Matthew Mulligan, winners of the team's ''Iron Jet'' workout competition.