Just when everything seemed to be going right for the Jets, they got the news yesterday that star cornerback Darrelle Revis did indeed suffer a concussion in Sunday’s win over the Bills.
The Jets labeled it as a “mild” concussion and seem optimistic he’ll be ready to play the Steelers on Sunday. Whenever a player has a head injury, though, there is reason for concern.
“I’ll always lean on our trainers and our doctors,” coach Rex Ryan said. “With any injury at all, but especially a head injury of any kind, you’re going to err on the side of caution, so we’ll see how he progresses during the week.”
Revis suffered the injury in the fourth quarter when teammate Bart Scott accidentally kicked him in the head. Revis left the game and initially it was believed he had not suffered a concussion. But yesterday morning Ryan found out Revis had not passed some of the tests administered under NFL protocol to any player who suffers a head injury.
“I understand it’s a mild concussion,” Ryan said. “He seems to be feeling good. Whatever those [test] scores are, apparently that’s low, but again, I’ll lean on the doctors and trainers, and we’ll see how he progresses during the week.”
A few people who spoke to Revis yesterday said he seemed OK, but none of them is a doctor. Ryan said on ESPN Radio that Revis went through team meetings yesterday. It is safe to assume Revis will be doing everything he can to convince the doctors he can play in Pittsburgh, which is close to his hometown of Aliquippa and where he went to college at Pitt.
Revis was not made available to the media.
Losing Revis for any period of time would be a difficult blow for the Jets to handle. He is the best player on the team and one of the best in football. If Revis is out, Kyle Wilson would start at cornerback and Ellis Lankster would take Wilson’s spot in the nickel package.
“You can’t lose a player like Darrelle and say you’re not going to see a drop-off in production,” linebacker Aaron Maybin said. “He’s the best cornerback in the league. That comes with the territory.”
Maybin did express confidence in the players who would have to replace Revis, and said the team motto is always “next man up.”
The Revis news is just about the only negative to come out of Sunday’s 48-28 victory. The Jets are feeling good at 1-0, but are trying to keep even-keeled with the trip to Pittsburgh coming this weekend.
“There also were some things you have to clean up in order to win consistently,” guard Brandon Moore said. “There’s some things in that game that if you do against a good football team it can cost you.”
The offensive line did a fantastic job in pass protection, keeping the Bills from sacking Mark Sanchez and only allowing one quarterback hit. But that group was not satisfied.
“It wasn’t perfect,” guard Matt Slauson said. “We have a lot of things to clean up. We could have done a lot better in the running game. All we have to do is improve.”
The defense also had a letdown after playing a tremendous first half. Once it had a big lead, the group seemed to relax and let the Bills score some late touchdowns. Ryan was particularly unhappy with the tackling.
Ryan said he did not feel the need to remind his team not to get too high off that big win. He thinks this week’s opponent will do that for him.
“We’re playing at Pittsburgh,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t get much tougher than that.”
About the only thing tougher would be playing in Pittsburgh without your best player.