The Jets defense was dealt a tough blow Wednesday when outside linebacker Antwan Barnes was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a right knee injury.
Barnes injured his knee in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game against the Falcons while rushing quarterback Matt Ryan. It looked as if the knee just buckled on him as he was being blocked. Initially, the Jets believed it was not a serious injury, but an MRI exam showed damage that required him to end his season.
Barnes, who signed as a free agent in March, had two sacks and also created several other sacks with his pressure.
“That’s a tough loss,” coach Rex Ryan said. “Antwan, you talk about an underrated player, it wasn’t just the production that he had but it’s the production he caused. A guy that can run a 4.4, has some physical gifts, but I love his mentality, too. We’re certainly going to miss him. It’s hard to replace Antwan. He’s a special guy, special player. … I hope he has a speedy recovery and he’s a Jet next year.”
It will be hard for the Jets to replace Barnes, who was a speedy rusher on the edge. They don’t have anyone on their roster that plays like Barnes. The team re-signed Ricky Sapp after releasing him Saturday and Sapp, Garrett McIntyre and Quinton Coples all could see some time in Barnes’ role as a third-down pass rusher.
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Tight end Kellen Winslow appears to be staging a media boycott. Winslow refused to speak to reporters after the game Monday and again in the locker room Wednesday. Winslow played just 19 snaps against the Falcons and had one catch, a touchdown. He told ESPN after the game it was not a good idea for him to talk, leading to speculation he is frustrated with his reduced role or his knee injury.
Coincidentally, Winslow now uses the locker that was occupied by Bart Scott, who staged his own media boycott last season.
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Jets guard Willie Colon on facing Pittsburgh, where he played for seven seasons: “I’m not going into this game snot bubbling and tears running down my face. That’s not going to happen.” … The Jets signed DT Terence Barnes to the practice squad and released DT Junior Aumavae. … Coples (ankle), NT Kenrick Ellis (personal reason), WR Clyde Gates (knee), RB Mike Goodson (illness), WR Santonio Holmes (foot), S Jaiquawn Jarrett (knee), CB Dee Milliner (hamstring) and Winslow (knee) did not practice Wednesday.