NFL

High ankle sprain doesn’t stop Jets’ McKnight from playing

FOXBOROUGH — Jets running back/kick returner Joe McKnight could barely put his left shoe on after the Jets’ 29-26 overtime loss to the Patriots, but his achy left ankle did not stop him from playing.

McKnight, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week, played after his status was in doubt all week.

“I wasn’t going to sit out this game for nothing,” McKnight said. “I was going to play regardless.”

McKnight ended up returning four kicks for 116 yards, with a long of 41 yards. He also played running back late in the game when Shonn Greene was sidelined with a head injury. He had 7 carries for 23 yards.

“I was just dealing with the pain situation, but I’m fine,” McKnight said. “I know I’m going to be sore tomorrow.”

McKnight missed practice for most of the week and was a game-time decision to play.

* A 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Devin McCourty in the first quarter was a huge play for the Patriots in the game. Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said it was not a breakdown of the kickoff team.

“It was one missed tackle,” Westhoff said. “That was it. They didn’t do anything the rest of the day. They couldn’t even get it out to the 20.”

* The Jets had a few injuries in the game. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a wrap on his left hand after the game. He said he jammed a finger. Greene exited the game in the fourth quarter after taking a big hit from linebacker Brandon Spikes. He went to the locker room with a head injury. He must not have had a concussion, though, because he returned to the game. TE Jeff Cumberland injured his hand in the first quarter and never returned.

* The Jets defense opened the game with interesting personnel on the field. They started cornerback Isaiah Trufant and linebacker Demario Davis, sitting linebackers Bart Scott and Bryan Thomas.

The Jets have gotten creative in the past against the Patriots with using extra defensive backs. This was essentially the Jets opening the game in a pass defense against the Patriots ultra-quick no-huddle attack.

* Sanchez completed six passes of 20 yards or more. His 328 yards passing are the fourth-most in his career and the most since Sept. 25, 2011 against the Raiders. … Kicker Nick Folk is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals this year. … The Jets inactives for the game were: NT Sione Po’uha (back injury), NT Kenrick Ellis (knee), RB Bilal Powell (shoulder), guard Caleb Schlauderaff, WR Clyde Gates (shoulder) and QB Greg McElroy.