One month ago, it looked like the Jets Week 1 starters at cornerback would be Dee Milliner and Dimitri Patterson. So much for that plan. Coach Rex Ryan announced on Friday that Milliner won't be playing against the Raiders.
Milliner, the ninth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, has been held out of practice since suffering a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 10. Patterson won't be playing in the game because he's no longer on the team.
The 31-year-old went AWOL in August and skipped the Jets third preseason game on Aug. 22 against the Giants. Patterson didn't last much longer after that, the team cut him on Aug. 30.
With Milliner ruled out and Patterson not even with the Jets anymore, that means New York's starting corners on Sunday will likely be Antonio Allen and Darrin Walls. The two defensive backs have four career starts between them at corner, although Allen has made 10 other starts for the Jets at different positions (safety, linebacker).
The Jets inexperience at corner will add another layer of intrigue to a game that should already be intriguing. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will be getting the start for Oakland, making him the only rookie quarterback to be starting in Week 1.
