Defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers made a brief return to the Jets’ practice facility Wednesday and has a “small chance” to rejoin the team for Sunday’s game against the Colts, according to coach Todd Bowles.
Rodgers, who missed last week’s game against the Broncos with what Bowles has called a “serious” illness, has undergone unspecified tests and is awaiting the results to come back next week. Though Rodgers could end up taking a leave of absence, Bowles said the coordinator “feels better,” and worked in his office during his return Wednesday.
“It’s too early to tell,” Bowles said of Rodgers returning this weekend. “He’s in good spirits.”
If Rodgers misses a second straight game, Bowles would call the defense, as he did during the Jets’ 34-16 win over the Broncos.
Isaiah Crowell was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a Jets-record 219 yards, with a touchdown, but he suffered an ankle injury during the performance and missed Wednesday’s practice due to soreness.
Asked about his ankle, Crowell said it was “good.”
Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (quad) and Buster Skrine (concussion) also did not practice, along with wide receivers Charone Peake (hamstring) and Andre Roberts (elbow/foot), linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (foot) and offensive lineman Spencer Long (knee/finger). Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (groin), safety Marcus Maye (ankle/foot) and tight end Neal Sterling (concussion) were limited. … Top Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) is not expected to play, nor is tight end Jack Doyle.
Pryor caught his first touchdown pass with the Jets last weekend, but he caught Bowles’ eye with his blocking on Crowell’s 77-yard touchdown run.
“That was even more impressive than the touchdown,” Bowles said. “He did a good job.”
Colts coach Frank Reich may be the only person with fond memories of the 1996 Jets. As coach Rich Kotite’s backup quarterback in his lone season in green, Reich ended up starting a career-high seven games — including the 1-15 squad’s only win, over Arizona — after Neil O’Donnell went down. Reich threw for 2,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
“Jeez, I thought we could get by without talking about that one,” Reich joked.
“Actually, it was a great year for me to be in the Jets organization. I really had a lot of fun that year … even though it was a rough year. For me, I played a lot of football that year … so it was good memories.”