The New York Jets proved they can play 30 minutes of great defense without Darrelle Revis. What about an entire game? Two games? A month?
They're about to find out.
Although he refused to rule himself out of Sunday night's game in Miami, Revis acknowledged Monday he could miss one to two weeks after an MRI exam revealed a strained left hamstring. The star cornerback, hoping to prevent it from becoming a nagging, season-long injury, said he doesn't want to return until he's 100 percent.
In that case, Revis Island could be shut down until October. The feeling in the organization is that it may take up to four weeks to completely heal.
"We don't want to push it to where it's a problem, where I have to keeping coming out of a game and can't practice," Revis said. "Right now, we're going to take our time with it. Until I feel it's 100 percent, and the trainers feel I can go at 100 percent, I doubt I'll be out there."
Jets coach Rex Ryan said he didn't have a prognosis, although he didn't sound optimistic about Revis' chances of facing the first-place Dolphins (2-0). Ryan said he's encouraged that center Nick Mangold (shoulder) and outside linebacker Jason Taylor (elbow) will play, adding that he's uncertain about Revis.
Translation: You're more likely to see Ryan high-fiving Dolphins fans than Revis playing in the prime-time showdown.
The good news for the Jets (1-1), coming off an impressive 28-14 win over the New England Patriots, is the schedule. The Dolphins are a run-oriented team with only one threat at receiver, Brandon Marshall, who probably will be covered by Antonio Cromartie. Marshall, the former Denver Bronco, has 12 receptions for only 124 yards and no touchdowns.
The following week, the Jets face the Buffalo Bills (0-2), who aren't doing much of anything on offense.
Revis admitted that his injury could be attributed to his 36-day holdout, which caused him to miss the entire preseason. He landed a four-year, $46 million contract, including $32 million in guarantees, but it cost him training camp.
"It's tough coming back from holding out, trying to get back into football shape," said Revis, who hasn't missed a game in three-plus seasons. "I'm in shape, but there's another shape, and it's called football shape."
After playing the entire game in the Monday night season opener (75 plays), Revis came back on a short week and reported stiffness on Thursday. He was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, but started Sunday against the Patriots.
Revis played 34 snaps against the Patriots, chasing Randy Moss all over the field in man-to-man coverage. On the Patriots' 34th snap, their final play of the first half, he pulled the hamstring, trailing Moss on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Revis went to the locker room and was finished for the day.
Revis said he has no regrets about the holdout or the decision to play Sunday, claiming he felt fine before the game. He believes his contract "could've been done a while ago, but negotiations, they're tough. ... But this is the stage I'm at and that's how it is," he said. "I'm trying to deal with it the best way I can and play football."
Without Revis, the Jets put Cromartie on Moss, and he held the star receiver without a catch in the second half. Rookie Kyle Wilson went from nickelback to starter, with Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman stepping into key backup roles. Remarkably, they befuddled Tom Brady, who went 7-for-16 for 69 yards in the second half. It was the first time in his career that he threw two interceptions against the Jets.
In theory, the Jets shouldn't be worried about Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne, who has only 296 yards and one touchdown. But Ryan, recalling Henne's 241-yard passing day last season against the Jets, said, "I thought we were playing Dan Marino."
And that was with Revis.
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