NFL

Jets without Tomlinson, Kerley

DENVER — The Jets walk (or limp) into Sports Authority Field at Mile High tonight missing some key offensive weapons.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley stayed in New Jersey yesterday, nursing knee injuries, and will not play tonight against the Broncos. That leaves the Jets without two key pieces of their offense.

Tomlinson is one of the emotional leaders of the team and has served as the team’s third-down back. He sprained his left MCL late in Sunday night’s loss to the Patriots. He is the team’s second-leading rusher and fourth-leading receiver. He also has played a big role in pass protection.

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Kerley, the rookie fifth-round pick, has emerged as a major contributor over the last month. He is the team’s primary punt returner and became the No. 3 receiver after Derrick Mason was traded. Kerley had his best receiving game against the Patriots, catching four passes for 79 yards. He injured his left knee on a punt return. The Jets did not say the exact nature of the injury.

Patrick Turner is listed as probable to play tonight after bruising a kidney Sunday. If he plays, he will step in as the third receiver. Without Kerley, it will be interesting to see if the Jets use Joe McKnight or Jim Leonhard to return punts. Both returned punts last week, with McKnight muffing one in the third quarter.

* The Jets have 14 players listed as probable on their injury report. Among them are: WR Plaxico Burress (low back), DL Mike Devito (knee), LB David Harris (ankle), WR Santonio Holmes (foot), C Nick Mangold (ankle), McKnight (toe), LB Calvin Pace (groin), CB D
arrelle Revis (knee) and G Matt Slauson (ankle).

* The Jets allowed five sacks against the Patriots on Sunday. Tackle Wayne Hunter said some of the problem was quarterback Mark Sanchez hung on to the ball too long.

“Mark was running a little bit more than we’d like him to,” Hunter said.

He then backed off, saying the line bears most of the blame.

“I’d like to think it mostly falls on the offensive linemen to give Mark as much time as he needs,” Hunter said. “That’s our job. That’s what we get paid to do. It would be nice if we gave him five, six seconds but it’s not realistic. Defensive linemen get paid, too.”