The Jets expect to have running back Stevan Ridley back at practice this week, and possibly for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
Ridley began the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but is eligible to practice this week. Once he practices, the Jets have a 21-day window to add him to the active roster.
“I’m hoping to get him in pads and get him out there and let him run around,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said of Ridley practicing.
Ridley is recovering from knee surgery last year, when he was with the Patriots. The idea of him returning against his former team would be a juicy subplot to this week’s game. It seems unrealistic to expect him to play off of three days of practice, but Bowles did not rule it out.
“Maybe,” he said.
The Jets also can allow cornerback Dee Milliner to practice this week, but Bowles sounded unsure if that would happen. Milliner has been on short-term injured reserve after wrist surgery in August. Bowles said he needed to check with Milliner before making a decision on whether he could practice. Milliner is not eligible to play in a game until Nov. 8, when the Jets face the Jaguars.
Bowles did not have a good read on how long CB Buster Skrine (concussion) will be out. Bowles said Skrine told him he felt fine on Monday, but that does not mean a doctor will agree. Skrine left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with the head injury. The Jets would miss him greatly if he could not play against the Patriots.
Second-year cornerback Dexter McDougle played in Skrine’s place Sunday. Bowles said he liked what he saw from McDougle, who played his first NFL defensive snaps.
“He did some good things,” Bowles said. “He’s quick. Dexter’s a scrappy guy. He fights. He’s getting experience as we go. I thought he played well. The moment wasn’t too big for him.”
The Jets only had 10 players on the field in the fourth quarter when the Redskins blocked a punt for a touchdown.
“It can’t happen,” Bowles said.
Bowles did not identify which player should have been on the field. Judging from a prior punt, it appeared Zac Stacy was the culprit. But Bowles shouldered the blame for the screwup.
“We busted,” Bowles said. “They didn’t count them. We, as coaches, didn’t count them. We messed it up. I messed it up. It’s my responsibility.”
The Jets plan to sign ex-Pats wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins to the active roster off their practice squad, according to a source.