St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins and wide receiver Chris Givens were surprise scratches from last Sunday’s game with the San Francisco 49ers.
The pair was suspended for the game by Rams head coach Jeff Fisher for an unspecified violation of team rules. According to R.B. Fallstrom of the Associated Press, they both returned to practice on Wednesday and are expected to play against the New York Jets.
“I made a mistake and coach did the right thing by disciplining me, and I can’t question how he did it,” Givens said. “I just take it how it comes and move forward, learn from it.”
Jenkins had numerous off-field issues during his college career which led to his dismissal from the University of Florida. Jenkins played his senior season at Division II North Alabama before being selected by the Rams in the second round of April’s draft.
Both quarterback Sam Bradford and cornerback Courtland Finnegan came to the support of their teammates. Finnegan has served as a mentor for his fellow corner and said they’re standing behind Jenkins despite the slip-up.
“You know what, we’re all human, we all make mistakes,” Finnegan said. “He’s a great kid, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do on and off the field. We’re still standing behind him.”
Per Fallstrom, Givens is the first rookie in NFL history with five straight games with a 50-yard reception. Givens is averaging 25.6 yards a reception. He has 13 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns this season. Jenkins has recorded 41 tackles and an interception in eight games this season for the Rams.