With veteran wide receiver Santonio Holmes hamstrung, the Jets desperately need Stephen Hill to make a quick recovery from last Sunday’s concussion. And with the wideout headache-free and making a return to the practice field on Friday — albeit wearing a red no-contact jersey — they might just get their wish.
“I’m feeling good. I’m just ready to play,’’ said Hill, who suffered the concussion on a hit last Sunday against the Titans. He still hasn’t been officially cleared to play Monday night in Atlanta, but he’s hopeful.
“I’m not going to say that I’ve been cleared to play, but I am ready to play anytime they give me a heads-up.’’
Hill suffered the concussion on a hit to the chin by Tennessee’s Michael Griffin that earned the Titans safety a $21,000 fine from the NFL.
“I just knew it was a pretty bad hit,” Hill said. “It did have me stunned a little bit. But as I tried to get up, I just felt [dizzy]. The training staff was around me by that time. They told me to go to the locker room, so that’s all I had control over.’’
The second-year wideout had not practiced all week, but practicing Friday with the no-contact jersey presumably implies he has been cleared by the Jets’ doctors to do everything except take a hit.
“That’s actually encouraging,” coach Rex Ryan said, “so we’ll see how that progresses.’’
According to Hill, he hasn’t had headaches in days and already has progressed to the point at which he could play. He’s simply waiting to be cleared and doesn’t have any concerns about coming back so quickly after having been concussed.
“It’s the game we play. It’s the game we love. If I have concerns I shouldn’t be out here,’’ said Hill, who added he has been symptom-free since Wednesday. “I felt pretty good [Friday], just like a regular day. Like I said, just making sure I went through NFL protocols, do the right things to get back on the field.’’
One can hardly blame Hill for being anxious to return, considering the momentum he had, having caught three passes for 108 yards in Week 3 against Buffalo, including a career-long 51-yard touchdown.
“It’s not frustration, but a little disappointed,” he said. “Coming off a good game you definitely want to get another one under your belt. But other than that, things happen. It’s football. Take it and run with it.’’
If Hill is cleared over the weekend, he could conceivably be back running on Monday in Atlanta. If and when he does come back, the Jets acknowledge they might use him differently coming off a concussion.
“That’s a good point. We’re not there yet,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “We don’t know if he’s going to play yet or not. But certainly it comes into play.”