Jets wideout Jeremy Kerley is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an elbow injury, and even though he’s officially listed as doubtful for Sunday — coach Rex Ryan calling him “very doubtful” — Gang Green’s leading receiver is holding out hope to get back on the field quickly, if not in Baltimore then soon afterward.
“[I feel] a lot better than the last few days,’’ said Kerley, who suffered a nasty-looking elbow injury when he rolled his left arm during a play against the Saints on Nov. 3. “I thought the worst, thought it was broke. But it’s a slight dislocation, nothing major. I can definitely recover from it, and looking back toward getting on the field this week. … I’m looking forward to getting on the field tomorrow, whenever, just taking it day to day.’’
Kerley took part in team drills Friday wearing a red non-contact jersey while the media was present, and caught passes with both hands after being limited to using just one hand Thursday.
“One hand, two hands, doesn’t even matter,” Kerley said. “If they throw it I’m going to try to catch it.”
Ryan said having a receiver who could only use one hand “was probably not the way to go as a starter,’’ leaving open the possibility he could play a limited role of the bench, if he plays at all.
Considering how nasty the injury seemed at the time, Kerley even being in the conversation is an auspicious sign.
“It was ugly, there’s no question. …That was a horrific looking injury,” Ryan said. “There haven’t been a whole lot of receivers that’ve had this injury, three in the last ten years, so it’s kind of hard to say where he is. … We’ll see how it goes. He’s already way further along than what people were assuming.’’
WR Santonio Holmes (foot/hamstring) was also participating in teams drills while the media was present. After not practicing at all on Wednesday and being limited on Thursday, he’s listed as probable and has said he expects to play.
Geno Smith has turned the ball over an NFL-high 20 times, including 13 on the road, where the Jets are just 1-4. He got benched in the fourth quarter of their last two blowout losses, but Ryan said he has seen encouraging signs from the rookie quarterback this week.
“There’s a couple of things. No. 1, he’s been throwing the ball with great accuracy during the week,’’ Ryan said. “If it’s not there, he’s been taking off with it, so I think that’s good also. He sees certain coverages, knows he can make some plays with his legs as well and I think that’s been encouraging to me.’’
Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata (knee) is listed as questionable, but Ryan expects the defensive tackle to play.
“I would. This is a huge game for both of our teams. I’d expect Haloti to go,’’ said Ryan, who coached Ngata in Baltimore. “I know Haloti, if there is any possibility to go, he’ll definitely be out there.’’
For the Jets, Garrett McIntyre (knee) is doubtful, while Willie Colon (calf), Antonio Cromartie (hip), Kenrick Ellis (back), David Garrard (knee), Stephen Hill (knee), David Nelson (illness), Greg Salas (finger) and Kellen Winslow (knee) are probable.