Jets' Decker, Wilkerson Sit Out Practice
DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The sideline was a crowded place for the New York Jets during practice Wednesday.
Wide receiver Eric Decker, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, center Nick Mangold and cornerback Dee Milliner were all in the trainers' area working through injuries as they sat out practice. Wide receiver David Nelson also was absent because of an illness.
Decker is dealing with tightness in his right hamstring that limited him against Chicago on Monday night. He caught one pass for 19 yards, but then pulled himself out after being listed as questionable for the game because of the hamstring issue.
"He's a durable guy and I think he's going to do whatever it takes to play," coach Rex Ryan said. "That's why, hey, I'm confident, I'm hopeful that he'll play, but again we'll see as it goes during the week. This past week, it wasn't until right at the end that he felt good enough to play and, obviously, he only got 15, 16 snaps in there."
Wilkerson bruised his right knee on a play late in the Jets' 27-19 loss that looked serious at first as he writhed in pain on the ground at MetLife Stadium. He expects to be able to play against Detroit on Sunday.
"I didn't know," Wilkerson said of his thoughts when he was hurt. "I just knew I was in a lot of pain. That's why I was screaming."
Mangold didn't seem concerned about the shoulder injury that caused him to sit out Wednesday. He said his shoulder has "progressively" bothered him over the last few weeks, but expected to practice Thursday and play Sunday.
"We like Dalton Freeman, but I don't want to see Dalton play," a joking Ryan said, referring to Mangold's backup. "I prefer to have Nick in there, and I think we will."
Milliner has missed two of the Jets' first three games after dealing with a high ankle sprain that sidelined him most of training camp and now tightness in his right quadriceps. His status for Sunday is uncertain.
Ryan acknowledged that he has been a bit frustrated by the inability of Milliner, the team's top draft pick last year, to stay healthy.
"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't (frustration) because there is, because you know the guy is an outstanding athlete and a guy that I think is going to be an outstanding player," Ryan said. "And it just seems like little things, but it's not. Those things happen and it's certainly not his fault."
Milliner echoed his coach's sentiments, calling his injuries "irritating."
"Came back from my ankle sprain and then my quad goes through whatever it's going through," he said. "It can be frustrating because I want to be out there on the field. Anytime I'm missing time, it's frustrating."
Right guard Willie Colon (calf) was limited at practice, while running back Chris Johnson was a full participant despite being listed on the injury report with an ankle ailment.
___
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
