Sterling Shepard received a late call from the New York Jets on Monday while picking up his children from school in Florida, prompting a swift transition back into the professional football fold. The Jets sought reinforcement at wide receiver after rookie Omar Cooper Jr. sustained a sprained ankle during Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans.

“They said, ‘Can you hop on a flight in a few hours?’ ” Shepard recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m there, I’m there.’ So yeah, it’s been a quick turnaround.”

After working out for the Jets on Tuesday, Shepard was signed to the team’s practice squad. The veteran wideout, who spent eight seasons with the New York Giants before two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is now acclimating to the Jets’ offensive system. Though based with the Jets in Florham Park, New Jersey, Shepard recently sold his home in the state but expressed enthusiasm about returning to what he called his “second home.”

The Jets may activate Shepard for their upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Despite a brief stint with the Houston Texans during training camp, Shepard has primarily trained independently this past year. “I’ve just got to get caught up,” he said. “I’ve got to get my body back in pads shape. It’s kind of hard to simulate, going against another guy. I’ve been running routes on air by myself for the past year. It’s been a while. It’s just great to have somebody in front of me now.”

Shepard’s reunion with Jets quarterback Geno Smith could accelerate his integration, as the two previously played together in New York and maintain a close relationship, including regular workouts in Florida.

Meanwhile, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn commended rookie edge rusher David Bailey’s performance in his NFL debut against the Titans. Bailey recorded six pressures and a sack that forced quarterback Cam Ward out of bounds.

“I thought he did some good things,” Glenn said. “There are definitely some things that he has to improve on, and that’s going to be every player. He’s a rookie and he’s still learning. I thought he’s shown flashes of him being able to get off the ball and get after the quarterback. Then being able to set an edge and do all the things that we ask those edge guys to do. He’s only going to get better.”

The Jets, dealing with injuries and roster adjustments early in the season, appear to be bolstering their depth as they prepare for a challenging stretch ahead.