Jets linebacker Bart Scott will be a spectator for Sunday’s game as he misses his first game since 2004.
An injury to his right big toe will sideline Scott, according to a source. The Jets had been figuring all week they would face the Dolphins without Scott, who has played 119 straight games.
Scott injured his toe in the Sept. 23 game with the Dolphins in Miami on the second play of the game. Doctors told him he could miss several weeks, but Scott played through the pain.
Last week against New England, he played just nine defensive snaps because he had trouble running and changing direction. Scott did not practice this week and seemed resigned that he might have to miss a game when he spoke to reporters on Thursday.
The Jets have a bye next week, giving Scott extra time to rest the toe. Rookie Demario Davis figures to start in Scott’s place.
* When Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley met his new position coach, Sanjay Lal, in the offseason, he had one question for him.
“The first thing Jeremy asked me … was if I thought he could play outside,” Lal said last week. “I said, ‘Yes,’ and I asked him, ‘Do you think you can?’ He looked at me like I was crazy. So, he believes there’s no difference. I see that in his confidence. I think by the way he’s played so far he’s done great outside and inside. In his eyes, he just sees it as he’s playing football.”
Kerley has seen his playing time jump since Santonio Holmes’ season ended in Week 4 because of a left foot injury. Kerley has picked up the slack.
Before Holmes went out, Kerley played what the Jets call the “F” receiver — a third-down, slot position. Since Holmes has been out, Kerley has played “X” on first and second down, where Holmes usually would be, and then moved to “F” on third down or in three-receiver sets.
“He’s done extremely well,” Lal said.
Kerley had career highs in catches (seven) and yards (120) last week against the Patriots.
“I really think Jeremy, with the more playing time he gets, he’s obviously getting a lot better at what he’s doing,” offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said. “I think there’s a big difference because playing inside and then playing outside during the course of the game — there really is a big difference. That’s something that he has had to work hard on, the release part of things and how people are playing him outside. When you’re used to playing in the slot, it looks like there is an ocean of room out there.”
The Jets’ wide receivers have taken a lot of criticism since the beginning of training camp. The idea the Jets have no “weapons” has been a constant storyline. Lal said he pays no attention to it.
“I’m pleased with the progression but we’re by no means where we want to be,” he said. “We want to be considered the best group in the league. Every day when we go out to practice we try to get closer to that goal.”
* The Jets signed TE Hayden Smith, the former rugby player, off their practice squad. They released WR Jason Hill. The move likely means TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist) will not play Sunday.
* Like many players around the NFL, DE Muhammad Wilkerson is sporting pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October is a special month for Wilkerson.
“My mom and my grandmother are both survivors,” he said.