Muhammad Wilkerson (96) said his scuffle with Brandon Jacobs Monday night was a ‘rookie mistake.’ (AP)
Jets defensive lineman Mo Wilkerson called himself out for making “a rookie mistake” a day after being drawn into a fight with Giants running back Brandon Jacobs in Monday night’s preseason game.
Wilkerson, the Jets’ first-round draft pick, was ejected along with Jacobs when the two took swings at each other early in the second half.
“I was pass rushing and he came up to pass protect and I ran into him, and [after] the ball was thrown he approached me and threw a blow at me,” Wilkerson said. “I retaliated. Was it a smart move? No. Do I regret it? I’m not going to let somebody take advantage of me.
“It was a rookie mistake. I let my anger get the best of me there.”
Though Jets coach Rex Ryan didn’t condone Wilkerson’s actions, he hardly sounded that upset.
“We obviously have got to do a better job of restraining ourselves,” Ryan said. “It was one of those things where it was getting a little hot in there and [Jacobs] clearly crossed the line. It’s tough when someone hits you in the face first. It’s hard to hold back sometimes.”
Jets veteran safety Jim Leonhard said he liked the fight Wilkerson showed, and has shown all camp.
“You do like to see that from a young guy that’s not backing down,” Leonhard said. “You don’t want to see it coming to throwing punches and getting kicked out of the game, but this is what we’ve seen of Mo. He’s a very competitive guy who’s willing to stick his nose in there.”
* The Jets have decided on their kicker/punter tandem. It’s going to be Nick Folk, who kicked for them last season, and T.J. Conley, who replaces last year’s punter, Steve Weatherford. Kicker Nick Novak and punter Chris Bryan were cut.
* FB John Connor sustained a left ankle injury against the Giants and was wearing a protective boot yesterday. Ryan said Connor will be out for Thursday’s game and “we’ll see what his status will be (for the season opener against Dallas).” If the injury lingers, don’t be surprised to see veteran Tony Richardson brought back. … CB Darrelle Revis hurt his right hip, but it doesn’t appear to be serious. His reps are being “monitored,” according to Ryan. … WR Logan Payne suffered a dislocated left wrist and will have surgery.
QB Mark Brunell (hamstring) will not practice before the preseason finale against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium, which means it looks like a full game for rookie Greg McElroy, because starters are not expected to play at all. TE Jeff Cumberland (left hamstring) will be limited and WR Derrick Mason (left knee) and DT Sione Pouha (knee) will be monitored.
* Jets LB Calvin Pace will appear on the regional cover of Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview issue, which is dated Sept. 5.