Monday’s good news on the injury front numbed the lingering pain from Thursday’s loss to the Patriots.
Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson expect to be on the field with their teammates at MetLife Stadium against the Bills on Sunday, and outside linebacker Quinton Coples participated in practice for the first time since suffering a right ankle injury in the team’s first preseason game against the Jaguars Aug. 17.
Kerley (concussion) and Wilkerson (ankle) — starters and two of the most valuable Jets — participated in practice on Monday and both said they will be ready to go against Buffalo.
“I should be fine,” said Wilkerson, who injured his ankle in Thursday’s 13-10 loss. Wilkerson said he was a full participant in practice after rolling his ankle by stepping on someone’s foot in the Pats setback. “Just a little soreness, but that’s part of the game.”
Coples, the team’s first-round pick a year ago who underwent what the Jets termed a “medical procedure” on the ankle Aug. 21 and has been out a little over a month, did some light jogging, footwork drills with trainers on the sideline and individual drills on his own.
As is his new custom, Jets coach Rex Ryan wouldn’t go into much detail about the three players, other than to say “they’re definitely getting closer” and Wednesday’s injury report will offer more concrete information. He noted Wilkerson “isn’t all the way back,” but is hopeful. Coples seemed further away than Wilkerson and Kerley.
Keeping Wilkerson in the lineup is important, since the Jets defensive line has already emerged as arguably the backbone of the team. Rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has gotten off to a fast start and Antwan Barnes, Damon Harrison and Kenrick Ellis have all played well, but Wilkerson, a third-year pro, is the unit’s rock.
Kerley, who missed the Patriots game after suffering a concussion in the Jets’ Week 1 win over the Buccaneers after absorbing a penalized helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Mark Barron, was wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice. He has yet to be cleared by the team, but expects to see action Sunday.
“A few days ago, things starting coming together for me, getting out [of] the fog a little bit,” said Kerley, who led the Jets in receptions (56) and receiving yards (827) last year. “I still have a couple of things I have to do, that’s why I was in the red jersey.”
Kerley’s return would be a significant addition for a wide receiving corps that struggled mightily against the Patriots, dropping six passes and undermining rookie quarterback Geno Smith. Clyde Gates dropped three of those balls, Stephen Hill fumbled away a 33-yard completion and Santonio Holmes has yet to regain his form after missing all but four games last year with a Lisfranc foot injury.
“Hopefully Jeremy is playing because he’s a weapon for us as a slot receiver primarily,” Ryan said. “He gives you some matchup problems because he’s got quickness and change of direction skills.”