The New York Jets are dealing with three significant injuries that will impact their play Sunday against the Steelers.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis (concussion), TE Dustin Keller (hamstring) and LB Bryan Thomas (hamstring) have all been officially ruled out.
Revis was cleared on Friday for non-contact practice and took limited reps during team drills. Both said the decision to keep Revis out of Sunday's game was simply a matter of the team following NFL protocal.
"I'm doing tests every day," Revis said. "It's just getting better every day."
Kyle Wilson, who Revis has tutored closely the past couple of years, will start in Revis' place across from CB Antonio Cromartie.
Without Revis, the Jets secondary faces a huge challenge. He virtually shuts down one side of the field, providing blanket coverage on the opponent's best wide receiver. While safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell have far proved to be a solid tandem, the defense will have to rely on younger players like CB Ellis Lankster, to help fill the void.
One positive note is S Eric Smith will be back. Smith has been sidelined with a hip and knee injury since the first preseason game against the Bengals. He was able to practice this week and will get his first action of the regular season on Sunday. How much playing time he will get is still up in the air.
"We'll see the extent of that as we get going," Ryan said.
NT Sione Po'uha is also expected to return. He has dealt with lower back tightness since late in training camp. Ryan is hopeful that he is finally ready to go.
Thomas is still battling a pulled hamstring he suffered against the Bills. He said he continues to experience soreness. LB Garrett McIntyre will start in his place.
Keller pulled a hamstring in practice prior to the Bills game. While he seemed to be improving, it appears he suffered a setback on Wednesday.
Losing Keller is a big loss to the offense. The Jets will go into the game with TEs Jeff Cumberland and Konrad Reuland. Reuland, signed two weeks ago, played footbal with QB Mark Sanchez in high school and the two work out together every offseason. TE Dedrick Epps, who spent training camp with the Jets, was signed off the Bears practice squad on Friday, but it's not clear if he will be active for the game.
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