HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The happiest sight in all of preseason for the New York Jets might have come during Monday's light practice.

All-Pro defensive end John Abraham, out since Aug. 3 after partially tearing knee cartilage, returned to the field. He didn't do a whole lot, but Abraham was back in uniform, working with the first team and getting a feel for how to prepare for the Sept. 8 opener at Buffalo.

"I am where I need to be after three weeks,'' said the third-year end who had a team-high 13 sacks in 2001. "I'm trying not to rush anything. I thought I could do something and went out and did.

"Today felt good. It was a nice, light day and I was able to push my knee a little bit.

"The season is getting ready to start and I want to be able to go full speed when I get back.''

Whether he will get back for Buffalo is only guesswork right now. Coach Herman Edwards is very cautious, not wanting to push Abraham and lose him for a lengthy period of the regular season. The Bills also have an artificial turf, which is harder on the legs than natural grass.

"I'm just glad to see he is able to do some work,'' Edwards said.

Abraham will wear a brace on his left knee, which could curtail his dynamic pass-rushing skills. But as soon as he is physically able, the Jets want Abraham in the lineup, even though New York is deep on the defensive line.

The Jets brought in free agent end Steve White and tackles Josh Evans and Larry Webster. Another tackle, Jason Ferguson, has returned from rotator cuff surgery that cost him all of last season.

DE Bryan Thomas was the team's No. 1 draft choice and has displayed quickness, but is understandably inconsistent. The same applies to Shaun Ellis, the other starting end who was chosen one spot ahead of Abraham in the 2000 draft.

Abraham is trying to calm his anxiety about getting back to full-time duty.

"After a big year like last year, I want to get better and try to get to be where I want,'' Abraham said. "One year does not make a good player. If I am not healthy, I can't show I am a good player.''

Notes
WR Santana Moss, the 2001 top draft pick who caught his first TD in a Jets uniform on Saturday night, skipped practice Monday with sore hamstrings. Free safety Damien Robinson returned to practice from a groin injury ... The Jets cut 15 players and are at 70. Five players who played in NFL Europe are exempt from this cut. Released were QBs Kyle McCann and Gus Ornstein; WRs Tavon Mason, Matt Farmer, Mike Horacek and Kahmal Roy; DBs Jay Brooks and Jamie Rooths; Gs John Grabowski and Brandon Moore; LBs Jerimiah Janssen and Idris Price; TE David Newman; OT Matt Knutson; and FB Chad Kuhns.