The Jets’ injury problems extend beyond Darrelle Revis.
Tight end Dustin Keller suffered a setback and did not practice yesterday. Keller felt soreness in his injured hamstring after Wednesday’s practice and was held out yesterday, a troubling development for the Jets as they prepare for the Steelers on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Keller said the hamstring was still not 100 percent, but he felt “OK.”
Keller injured the hamstring against Carolina in the preseason. He played Sunday against the Bills but had just one catch for 7 yards and was pulled out of the game when the Jets took a big lead early.
* First-round pick Quinton Coples’ debut was “not bad,” according to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
“I thought he was a little inconsistent, but it was typical [of a rookie debut],” Pettine said. “He was disruptive at times, but again, I think overall, it was middle of the road.”
Coples’ highlight was a tackle for a loss. His lowlight might have come on C.J. Spiller’s 56-yard touchdown run. Coples, playing defensive end, was stood up by a blocker. He then reached for Spiller, trying to arm tackle him, before Spiller took off for the end zone.
* Part of the Jets’ defensive preparation this week has required viewing of the 2010 AFC Championship Game, the last time the Jets faced the Steelers and lost 24-19.
Pettine admitted yesterday he is not able to just watch the game from a coaching perspective without feeling the emotions associated with that loss.
“I couldn’t detach myself,” Pettine said. “Give me a couple more years and maybe I can watch that and just look at that from an X’s and O’s standpoint. That’s tough because it’s frustrating. As soon as you turn it on and you just see the uniforms and the field and the setting of the game, you go right back there.”
* Steelers LB James Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he will play Sunday, but then did not practice. Harrison is recovering from knee surgery. Safety Troy Polamalu (calf) also missed practice. There seems to be a good chance neither will play against the Jets.
* Jets WR Jeremy Kerley (back) and FB John Conner (knee) both returned to practice yesterday on a limited basis. Besides Keller and Revis, CB Isaiah Trufant (ankle), OLB Bryan Thomas (hamstring) and safety LaRon Landry (planned rest) also did not practice.