ESPN -- The New York Jets will be down three defensive starters, possibly a fourth, when they face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.
The fourth could be defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who apparently aggravated his troublesome ankle and is listed as questionable. Ruled out are safety Calvin Pryor (concussion) and defensive tackle Steve McCLendon (hamstring). Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) is doubtful, but he won't play.
The good news for the Jets (3-8) is center Nick Mangold is expected to play after missing four games with an ankle injury. He practiced fully for the third straight day. This has been a frustrating year for the longest-tenured Jet, who has sat out as many games this year as he did in his first 10 seasons.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, bothered by knee and ankle injuries, practiced fully after missing two games and is cleared to play.
The Wilkerson development is most troubling for the Jets. On Wednesday, coach Todd Bowles said he expected a strong finish from Wilkerson, saying, "He's feeling a lot better now, so I expect to see a lot better Mo."
Bowles wasn't available on Saturday. Practice was closed to the media.
Wilkerson practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, but he sat out Saturday. It's usually an ominous sign when a player is trending in the wrong direction two days before a game.
Because of his ankle, Wilkerson didn't play in the Week 7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He's 11 months removed from surgery to repair a fractured fibula, but there have been complications. He recently said it stems from a tendon in his ankle area.
If Wilkerson doesn't play, the Jets will be down two starters on the defensive line. The only other linemen on the roster are Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson, Anthony Johnson and Deon Simon. Mauldin plays as a down lineman in the nickel package. Look for Simon, Josh Martin and Mike Catapano to have increased roles.
Rontez Miles will start for Pryor at safety. Wide receiver Jalin Marshall(concussion) also was declared out.
The fourth could be defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who apparently aggravated his troublesome ankle and is listed as questionable. Ruled out are safety Calvin Pryor (concussion) and defensive tackle Steve McCLendon (hamstring). Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) is doubtful, but he won't play.
The good news for the Jets (3-8) is center Nick Mangold is expected to play after missing four games with an ankle injury. He practiced fully for the third straight day. This has been a frustrating year for the longest-tenured Jet, who has sat out as many games this year as he did in his first 10 seasons.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, bothered by knee and ankle injuries, practiced fully after missing two games and is cleared to play.
The Wilkerson development is most troubling for the Jets. On Wednesday, coach Todd Bowles said he expected a strong finish from Wilkerson, saying, "He's feeling a lot better now, so I expect to see a lot better Mo."
Bowles wasn't available on Saturday. Practice was closed to the media.
Wilkerson practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, but he sat out Saturday. It's usually an ominous sign when a player is trending in the wrong direction two days before a game.
Because of his ankle, Wilkerson didn't play in the Week 7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He's 11 months removed from surgery to repair a fractured fibula, but there have been complications. He recently said it stems from a tendon in his ankle area.
If Wilkerson doesn't play, the Jets will be down two starters on the defensive line. The only other linemen on the roster are Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson, Anthony Johnson and Deon Simon. Mauldin plays as a down lineman in the nickel package. Look for Simon, Josh Martin and Mike Catapano to have increased roles.
Rontez Miles will start for Pryor at safety. Wide receiver Jalin Marshall(concussion) also was declared out.
