New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan says WR Jerricho Cotchery may not play on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.
Cotchery missed Friday’s practice with a hamstring injury.
Cotchery has been terrific so far this season, with 23 catches for 356 yards and a touchdown. Having Cotchery watching from the bench Monday night, could be a major blow to the offense. Especially now, when this team is trying to rebound from a pretty bad loss to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
Rookie QB Mark Sanchez had a woeful day at the hands of the New Orleans defense, tossing 3 interceptions including one that was returned 99 yards for a touchdown. Sanchez would also lose a fumble in the endzone surrendering an additional 7 points to the Saint defense.
With Cotchery out the Jets would have to depend on WR’s David Clowney, Brad Smith and Wallace Wright. No official word has been given yet who it would be. My money would be on either Wright or Clowney. I’m not so sure Smith has shown the hands yet to get the nod, but I could be totally wrong. I admit that it won’t surprise me a bit to see all three used to fill in the role.
"That’s a possibility, I’m expecting him to play, but that’s a definite possibility… The hamstring’s still bothering him some, so we’ll see, I’m definitely not ruling him out, but he’s not 100 percent right now."
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The timing of this couldn’t be worse. The Jets having just pulled the trigger on a major trade with Cleveland for WR Braylon Edwards; giving up wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and two draft picks in the process.
A move that is sure to spread things out on the field, help open up the running game and give our young QB, a little more breathing room in the pocket to make better decisions from.
Of course, this plan depends on Cotchery as much as it does Edwards. Cotchery has proven that he can not be ignored by opposing defenses. Edwards represents the deep threat that will help relieve Cotchery and TE Dustin Keller of some of the double teams they have been seeing. The combination of Edwards, Cotchery and Keller on the field should prove to be explosive.
Certainly looks great on paper!
There is no doubt that both the Jets and Jets fans are eager to see Cotchery lined up opposite Edwards. Everyone is waiting and hoping for those fireworks to start.
Hopefully all this speculation is just folly and Cotchery will play. Let’s see what Monday night brings.