Canadian offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif could be returning to the New York Jets after taking a break from football to begin a medical residency program at a Montreal-area hospital.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Duvernay-Tardif is working out for the Jets (6-3) on Wednesday and could join the practice squad of a team that has been a pleasant surprise.
Duvernay-Tardif finished last season with the Jets after a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs.
The McGill medical school product told the Canadian Press in June he had received four offers from NFL clubs, but wanted to focus on his medical residency requirements.
Shortly after helping the Kansas City Chiefs secure a Super Bowl victory in 2020, the Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., native became the first NFL player to opt out of the ’20 season to battle the COVID-19 pandemic working at a Montreal long-term care facility.
Duvernay-Tardif, 31, was widely recognized for his decision. He was a co-recipient of the award as Canada’s top athlete and named ESPN’s Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian of the Year, as well as one of Sports Illustrated’s 2020 Sportspersons of the year.
The Chiefs picked the six-foot-five, 321-pound Duvernay-Tardif in the sixth round (200th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
— With files from CP
