Jets Injury News

The NFL and Jets official websites do not track injuries in the preseason. According to Sports Illustrated the only player being tracked for preseason injuries is the already-on-IR Royce Adams. ESPN has proven highly inaccurate and unreliable in their tracking of preseason injuries, but they along with CBSSports.com, an SBN affiliate, will be the primary sources I use.

Here are the banged up or less-than-100% Jets to watch (or in many cases, not watch) in preseason week 3. Those of you who have been "throwing up the kool aid" lately might want to take note that many of our cornerstone players have not been fully active in the preseason, and that nobody besides rookies are really giving it their all here. But, I'll let you decide for yourself how serious things really are in the long term. Without further adieu, the injured players;

Eric Smith (DB)

CBSSports is reporting that Eric Smith will miss the rest of the preseason with an MCL Sprain. ESPN does not mention Smith. Although it could be all hype, Rex Ryan has insinuated more than once that Smith is the brains of the defense, especially in the wake of Jim Leonhard leaving the team for the Broncos. New blood Antonio Allen and Josh Bush have come to rely on Eric Smith as a mentor and on-field instructor, so in that respect he is a loss. On the other hand, the new guys as well as LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell need as much honing and time with the D squad as they can possibly get in the remaining preseason. Smith will be back around when it matters, for all the good he may or may not do.

Santonio Holmes (WR)

Initially the Jets said that Holmes would forgo the rest of the preseaon due to his bruised ribs, which gave us quite a scare when we thought it was something more severe. Holmes is back in practice but wearing red (non-contact) jerseys. Basically, the Jets are protecting their greatest asset at receiver, and there's no reason to be worried about him missing the regular season. According to both CBS and ESPN, Holmes actually has a pretty good chance of playing in the week 3 preseason game against the Panthers.

Read about the rest of the Jets injured players and possible inactives after the jump.

Jeremy Kerley (WR)

The Jets young slot receiver has all significant action so far this preseason with a tight hamstring, however according to Jenny Vrentas, who may or may not hold the key to my black frozen heart, Kerley is about 90% healed and might play against the Panthers on Sunday. I would prefer that he be 100% as hamstrings have an awful way of lingering for a long time, but I have to trust the professionals decision over my own.

Joe McKnight (RB)

Also according to Ms. Vrentas and re-reported by ESPN; RB Joe McKnight is experiencing some kind of problem or discomfort with his shins, and will have x-rays taken. His status for the rest of the preseason is not certain at this time.

Update: Results show McKnight has shin splints and is unlikely to miss any significant time at all.

Chaz Schilens (WR)

Per Vrentas and ESPN, Schilens missed another practice with a high ankle sprain and will definitely miss week 3 preseason action against the Panthers.

Patrick Turner (WR)

Turner rolled his ankle during practice and hopes to return to action either tomorrow or in the following days. Turner has been relegated to bikes and stationary exercise while he recovers. Even though it is only the preseason, health and depth at wide reciever are beginning to be a concern. Who will Mark Sanchez throw to on Sunday at this rate?

Sione Pouha (NT)

This is old news, but Sione will continue to sit out the remainder of the preseason with back issues.

Jeff Cumberland (TE)

Cumberland apparently suffered a concussion in Tuesday's practice. His status is uncertain at this time.

Ricky Sapp (LB)

Sapp will likely miss the week 3 preseason game against the panthers with an injured ankle. Sapp has not played any preseason time beyond practice, and his long term future with the team may be in danger due to his inability to get on the field, per Manish Mehta of the Daily News.

Returning to practice are Wayne Hunter, who was given time off for personal reasons in what ultimately turned out to be his benching in favor of Austin Howard. Also returning is Calvin Pace, who missed practice earlier this week while getting a tooth extracted, and then again the next day because he could not wear proper protective gear while he healed.

The Verdict:

Although it may appear as if the sky is falling, and the Jets certainly will be missing significant pieces this Sunday, perhaps this lack of active starters may be an explanation for why the team is underperforming in preseason action. I cannot reiterate enough that almost all of these players will be ready to go for week 1. For now, we will be treated to seeing what the lesser known players have in the tank, which is really what the preseason is for anyway.