Manish Mehta reports Joe McKnight is likely to be out of Sunday's game in Seattle with a high ankle sprain.

Joe McKnight played thru pain past 2 gms w/high ankle sprain,but Jets will take wise approach now. I'm told he's unlikely to play v Seahawks.

McKnight was a trooper for playing hurt, but high ankle sprains are painful business. His game is based on explosion. If the injury prevents him from being able to change directions, he is not of much use to the Jets.

Clyde Gates and Antonio Cromartie figure to sub for McKnight as kickoff returners. My hope is Gates handles the bulk of the job. The Jets' success through the years in the return game has been due to blocking as much as anything. Even if Cro gives a slight edge, I think the injury risk more than cancels it out. Cromartie is more important covering wide receivers than returning kicks. The only way I would put him out there is if they needed a big return in the last minute of the game.