Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was thought to have suffered a concussion in last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, said Friday he never had one and will be playing in Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
Coach Rex Ryan had said earlier in the week the 23-year-old had a concussion, but Wilkerson was cleared to play after passing all tests and said he feels good.
“They were making sure I didn’t have a concussion, but I never had one,” Wilkerson said. “I just showed symptoms, but I was fine. I wasn’t worried [I had a concussion]. I’m playing [tomorrow].”
Wilkerson is listed as probable and was a full participant in yesterday’s practice, after sitting out Wednesday and working on a limited basis on Thursday.
* Dustin Keller has played his last game of the season and perhaps his final game with the Jets. The 28-year-old tight end worked off to the side yesterday, but did not participate during practice, and is listed as doubtful with a sprained left ankle.
Keller has missed the past three games and has played in only eight games this season, having missed time earlier with a hamstring injury. He is in the final year of his contract.
Also listed as doubtful were quarterback Greg McElroy (abdomen/concussion), linebacker Bryan Thomas (chest) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (knee), who Ryan said, “was working like crazy to get out there.”
Cornerback Ellis Lankster (concussion) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards (knee/hamstring) are both listed as questionable and were limited in practice.
* Right tackle Austin
Howard is ready for the rematch.
Having held Buffalo’s $100 million defensive end, Mario Williams, to no sacks and one quarterback hit during the season-opening win over the Bills, Howard’s first full year as a starter couldn’t have started any better.
But Williams believed the 25-year-old’s success stemmed from Howard’s use of illegal hands to the face to block the two-time Pro Bowler. Howard didn’t agree and isn’t concerned about increased focus on the issue.
“I never put two thoughts to it. I really didn’t,” Howard said. “I really didn’t pay much attention to it. Apparently, it was how he felt, but I had to move on the next day.”
* Nose tackle Sione Po’uha, who has been battling back issues throughout the season, will have an MRI exam next week to determine if offseason surgery will be necessary, but he said he has felt improvement in recent weeks.
“I’m feeling good,” Po’uha said. “Probably next week we’ll review everything and just go from there and figure out how we’re going to approach the road to recovery.”
* The Jets signed running back John Griffin to the active roster from the practice squad.