NFL

Jets’ Scott may be forced ‘toe’ bench

Jets linebacker Bart Scott has played in 119 straight games. He prides himself on pain tolerance, work ethic, showing teammates he is “willing to bite down and play” through pain.

But there comes a point, you know?

That point could be Sunday for Scott who has battled a right big toe issue, what he called “basically turf toe.” And if you don’t think it’s a major pain, “it’s like trying to play catch without a thumb. Try that one.”

So the Jets are considering holding out Scott against the Dolphins with a bye week coming up.

“There’s a chance,” coach Rex Ryan said Thursday. “If Bart is healthy, Bart will be out there. Bart was having a tremendous year, probably playing as well as at any time since he’s been here.”

Scott has fought the injury for five weeks — he originally injured it in the first meeting with Miami. He has sat out the last two days of practice and has used a re-designed shoe that is a size and a half bigger than the one he usually wears.

“When the injury first happened … we were told right away, ‘Hey this is a three or four week injury’ and as stubborn as Bart is, he wasn’t coming out,” defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said of the 11th season veteran who has missed only game through injury in his career. “But I think it’s gotten to the point where he feels he had to at least step back and rest it these last two days. We’ll make a decision toward the end of the week.”

Scott played only nine snaps on defense in the 29-26 overtime loss at New England Sunday — “I couldn’t run. I definitely couldn’t play in space,” Scott said.

That will get you a nice view from the sidelines, which means rookie linebacker Demario Davis, who has impressed the Jets, will see more playing time.

Last season, there was friction as Scott was replaced on passing downs — he even talked trade in the offseason. But he upped his workouts, lost weight, started strong — then hurt his toe. He has tried the ironman route.

“I pride myself of not ever really missing a practice but showing up and continuing to show my teammates [by] working hard and working with them how important it is to have chemistry,” said Scott, who gave a flat “don’t know” about whether the ailment requires offseason surgery. “With a toe, it’s hard to push off. … In my family, we’re told not to complain we just do what we have to do.”

There were a lot of suggestions about woulda and shoulda in terms of shutting down Scott previously. But he was adamant, the medical staff cleared him — and he was playing well.

Scott said all that matters is what lies ahead.

“Whatever is best for the team. I don’t care about a streak. I care about helping my team win,” said Scott. “I’ve been [playing] for five weeks trying to get it better. The second half of the season is going to be huge for us we’re going to have to make that run and hopefully I can be a big part of that.”