New England will host the Jets on Thursday night, but they'll be missing starting running back Stevan Ridley and startling middle linebacker Jerod Mayo. Things are bad for the Jets too, as they're on a five-game losing streak and dealing with injuries themselves.
Starting cornerback Dee Milliner will be out for the remainder of the season for New York after tearing his Achilles tendon in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, which is an enormous blow to an already thin Jets' secondary. And that doesn't help because Tom Brady has returned to form over the past two weeks, throwing for 653 yards and six touchdowns and no interceptions.
New York will also be dealing with other depth issues on defense, as they'll be without backup safety Josh Bush (quad) and backup outside linebacker Trevor Reilly (knee). Neither participated in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wide receiver Greg Salas (wrist) will also sit out tonight's matchup, which further affects the depth at another weak position. But Geno Smith will have his top two targets tonight, as tight end Jace Amaro (knee) and wide receiver Eric Decker (hamstring) are listed as probable and will likely suit up.
The rest of the Jets on the injury report are listed as probable and are expected to play, including running back Chris Johnson (ankle), center Nick Mangold (shoulder), linebacker David Harris (shoulder), guard Willie Colon (knee), tackle Breno Giacomini (back), wide receiver David Nelson (ankle), cornerback Darrin Walls (knee) and defensive tackle Damon Harrison (ankle).
As for New England, the team as a whole looked like they were coming together over the past two weeks, but season-ending injuries to running back Stevan Ridley (torn ACL/MCL) and linebacker Jerod Mayo (torn patellar tendon) have likely derailed their plans. The Patriots will also be without backup tackle Cameron Fleming (finger) and backup safety Nate Ebner (finger). The good news is that Tom Brady (ankle), defensive end Chandler Jones (shoulder) and safety Devin McCourty (shoulder) are all listed as probable.
However, a number of starters are listed as questionable, including guard Dan Connolly (concussion), center Bryan Stork (concussion), cornerback Brandon Browner (ankle), linebacker Jamie Collins (thigh) and Don't'a Hightower (knee). Others include backup defensive end Dominique Easley (shoulder) and backup wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder).
Tune in to CBS at 8:00 p.m. for coverage of Thursday Night Football. If the Jets can hold up the way they did on Sunday against the Broncos, it should be an interesting matchup tonight.
