Jets coach Rex Ryan said he is unsure if nose tackle Sione Po’uha will be ready for Sunday’s opener with the Bills.
Po’uha has been dealing with a back injury since early in training camp and did not appear in any preseason games.
“He really hasn’t practiced football,” Ryan said. “I don’t want to say he’s ready to go. Playing that position, I don’t know if you can just run out there without competing on the practice field.”
But Po’uha said he will play.
“I feel great,” Po’uha said. “I’m ready to go.”
Po’uha said he practiced yesterday and was only held out of a few things.
If Po’uha does not play, Kenrick Ellis would be the starting nose tackle. Against the Bills’ spread attack, though, the Jets defense could rarely be lined up in a 3-4. The Jets will probably be in a nickel defense for most of the game, and Po’uha would not be on the field anyway.
➤ Ryan said TE Dustin Keller (hamstring) and RB Joe McKnight (hamstring) should be ready to face the Bills. Keller, McKnight, LB David Harris (ankle), safety Eric Smith (hip/knee), and LB Bryan Thomas (undisclosed) were all working off to the side with trainers at the beginning of practice.
Harris said he did not practice, but he will definitely play Sunday. McKnight also sat out, but said he will play Sunday.
➤ Ryan clarified what he meant when he told Sports Illustrated rookie Stephen Hill was not “my pick.” Ryan said he meant to compliment the scouting department.
“That one took off in a way different [way] than the intent was,” Ryan said. “My intent was saying that. … I was laughing. I was actually talking about our scouting department.”
Ryan said he was joking that as defensive coach he does not like taking wide receivers.
“What I was kidding was about, ‘Oh man, we’re going to take a receiver,’ and it just got blown up like he’s not my pick,” Ryan said. “He’s definitely my pick now because I think he’s going to have a really bright future.”
➤ The most surprising cut of the week? Nick Mangold shaved his trademark beard.
“Just try[ing] something new,” Mangold said. “Switch it up a little bit. I’m not going to continue shaving. It’s not going to be a long-term thing.”
➤ McKnight declined to comment on the Los Angeles Times report he allegedly received improper benefits while still at USC. … Former Jets WR Brad Smith did not practice yesterday for the Bills. He suffered a groin injury in the preseason.