Rex Ryan said Jets rookie cornerback Dee Milliner — benched during last week’s loss at New England — will play significant snaps on Sunday, but stopped just short of labeling him a starter.
The Jets claimed they benched Milliner to spare his confidence, saying quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots were set to attack and potentially rattle him.
On Friday, Ryan said the first-round draft pick from Alabama will be back on the field and given extended playing time, but was careful not to promise he would be out there with the starters against the Bills at MetLife Stadium.
“I don’t know. He’s going to start some of the defense, maybe not all of it. I don’t think he’s in there on goal line, I think Kenrick [Ellis, nose tackle] is in there on goal line,’’ Ryan chuckled.
“How do you say is Quinton Coples a starter? Is Garrett McIntyre a starter? Is Calvin Pace a starter? Is Antwan Barnes? The answer is always yes: These guys start. Is he going to be trotting out there in the first snap? I don’t know what [formation] they’re in. So I don’t want to say that and then all of a sudden I lied to you guys. I don’t want to do that. But he’s going to play a great deal for us.’’