HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma missed practice for the second straight day Thursday with a knee injury that could sideline him for New York’s game against Buffalo – or longer.
Coach Eric Mangini remained typically tightlipped when discussing the injury, which caused the one-time Pro Bowl linebacker to be removed from the game for a stretch last Sunday at Cincinnati.
“We’re still looking at that,” Mangini said. “With any injury, we go through the process and evaluate throughout the week.”
Rookie David Harris, the Jets’ second-round draft pick in April, indicated he will take Vilma’s spot in the starting lineup Sunday against the Bills.
“It’s a big task for me to fill his shoes,” Harris said. “It’s been a dream of mine to start an NFL game and the opportunity has arised so I’ve got to step up to the plate.”
Published reports have speculated the injury could be serious and potentially require season-ending surgery. Mangini wouldn’t budge when asked if that was a possible scenario.
“It’s really just going to matter what the results are and talk to the doctors and put together the best plan,” Mangini said.
When pressed on whether that means Vilma could miss the rest of the season, Mangini said simply: “No, it just means that we’re looking at the tests and talking to doctors and following the normal procedure that we do with everybody.”
Vilma has not been available to the media since Sunday. Messages and e-mails left for Tony Fleming, one of Vilma’s representatives, were not immediately answered.
Mangini said he wasn’t sure when the injury occurred, but shot down the theory that it might have been a preexisting condition.
“The injury was really based on the game,” he said.
Mangini also wouldn’t specify whether the injury was to Vilma’s right or left knee.
“It’s one of those two,” he said.
The Jets coach then explained why he doesn’t want to say which knee it is.
“Just historically, whenever you have an awareness of an injury and opponents have an awareness of an injury that’s something that you can take into account when you’re running routes, when you’re running plays, the directions that you run plays, how a guy can cut or not cut, where they’re going to be quicker,” he said. “What may be affected, that does come into the decision-making. What kind of routes you’re going to run against them. What the likelihood of being able to take advantage of a slowed-down player might be.”
The hard-hitting Harris, who has 24 tackles in limited time this season, could get the chance to call signals at middle linebacker Sunday.
“Playing linebacker at Michigan for four or five years, you get used to calling the defensive huddle and I get here and Vilma and (Eric) Barton were calling the huddles,” Harris said. “Now that Vilma’s down, I can pick up more responsibility.”
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com