The Patriots head to New York to face the Jets in Week Two,
and the second test of the Jets in their new stadium. After a brutal contest
and tough loss in their season opener in the New Meadowlands stadium, the Jets
are looking to rebound against their division rival. The task might be easier
had the Jets not lost one of their best defensive linemen for the year in Kris Jenkins. The Patriots escaped their season opener a 38-24 win against the
Bengals in Foxborough -- with just some minor bumps and bruises.
The most notable injuries the Patriots are dealing with are
those to skill position players at the wide receiver and running back spots.
Fred Taylor has a toe injury which hampered him at practice
during the week. He participated fully in Friday's practice and is expected to
play on Sunday. Taylor has a history of injuries he's dealt with over the
past, including a leg injury which derailed most of his first season in New
England last year. With Laurence Maroney now a member of the Denver Broncos
(traded), that leaves Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis to shoulder the
load for Taylor should he need to be spelled. The ever-reliable Kevin Faulk is
also an option for the Patriots, one they've relied on in the past when top
backs went down.
Wes Welker and Julian Edelman missed portions of practice
this week. Edelman is fighting through a foot injury which he suffered in the preseason.
He missed the season opener against the Bengals. He's showing marked
improvement, but with Brandon Tate showing well last week against the Bengals,
it's more likely Edelman sits out one more week. Welker's issue is
non-football related, so he should be out there.
The other injuries are to players who haven't been available
for some time, and have been replaced in the lineup. Sebastian Vollmer is in
for Kaczur while Jonathan Wilhite and Devin McCourty are in for Wheatley.
As mentioned earlier, Losing Jenkins is a big deal for the
Jets, though Rex Ryan felt his other players could step up in Jenkins' absence.
"Obviously it's going to be a huge blow for us," Ryan said in his press
conference. "I feel really bad for Kris, a guy that rehabbed that injury. That's
just part of this business It's a big loss."
Ryan looks for the Jets other defensive linemen to step up
in Jenkins' spot. Howard Green, Sione Pouha, Shaun Ellis and Matt Kroul will
apply pressure to Brady.
The injury to Revis, a "tight hammy" as it's been labeled,
seems more show than substance. When pressed on how Revis looked at practice,
Ryan seemed upbeat. "I thought he looked pretty good," Ryan responded. "We
never did a whole lot with him, but when he was out there he looked pretty
good."
INJURY REPORT: Jets-Patriots
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Nick Kaczur T Back Did Not Participate Out
Terrence Wheatley CB Foot Did Not Participate Out
Julian Edelman WR Foot Limited Questionable
Tom Brady QB R.Shoulder Full Probable
Fred Taylor RB Toe Full Probable
Wes Welker WR Not Inj Related Limited Probable
NEW YORK JETS
Kris Jenkins DT Knee Out (Will Not Play) --
Calvin Pace LB Foot Out (Will Not Play) Out
Brodney Pool S Ankle Limited Questionable
Darrelle Revis CB Hamstring Limited Probable