Injury Report: Fitzpatrick, Jets Ready To Protect Home Field Versus Jaguars
By Abraham Gutierrez
After seeing what the (4-3) New York Jets would look like with Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, it's safe to say that Gang Green Nation has been holding its collective breath awaiting the game status of it's under-appreciated quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick.
On Friday, Todd Bowles and his staff composed the final injury report for their Week 9 clash against the (2-5) Jacksonville Jaguars and Jets fans can exhale. That's because all indications are that Fitzpatrick's injured left thumb will not keep him out of the lineup in what has to be considered a must-win game at MetLife Stadium.
The 11-year pro out of Harvard is listed as having had full participation in practice. Bowles & Co. dodged a major bullet with the injury being in his non-throwing hand. Fitzpatrick, who tore a ligament in his left thumb during last week's loss against the Oakland Raiders, has completed 62 percent of his pass attempts, connecting on 133-of-215 for 1518 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a quarterback rating of 86.5 in 2015.
On a bit of a sour note, one player that has been ruled out of Sunday's game for the home team, as strong safety Calvin Pryor's ankle will keep him in street clothes. The second-year pro out of Louisville will miss his second game this year. Pryor, who suffering the injury at the start of the second half of the Week 7 clash with the New England Patriots, is third on the team in tackles (36) and will be missed.
"Actually, the swelling has gone down; there's not too much swelling," he said prior to last week's game in Oakland. "It's really just a tightness and soreness in my ankle."
Aside from Pryor, the second player with the highest probability to be sidelined this week is back-up running back, Bilal Powell, who continues to deal with a lingering ankle injury. In his fifth-year out of Louisville, the former fourth-round pick been bitten by the injury bug throughout the season. His absence has caused Chris Ivory to carry the heavy water at the halfback position.
Speaking of Ivory, he also had his name penciled in this week's injury report as the team leader in rushing yards has also had a tough time shaking off a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, the former New Orleans Saint has missed only one game this season, and is instrumental for the Jets to snap their current two-game skid.
Other key players in danger of becoming DNPs on gameday are wide receivers Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Eric Decker (knee) on offense, and on the defensive side of the football, perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) was also slowed by injury during this week's preparations.
Probable:
(CB) Dexter McDougle (Ankle) - Full Participation in Practice
(WR) Eric Decker (Knee) - Did Not Participate In Practice
(TE) Kellen Davis (Hand) - Full Participation in Practice
(QB) Ryan Fitzpatrick (Thumb) - Full Participation in Practice
(RB) Stevan Ridley (Knee) Full Participation in Practice
(QB) Geno Smith (Shoulder) - Full Participation in Practice
(C) Nick Mangold (Neck) - Limited Participation in Practice
(CB) Antonio Cromartie (Hip) - Full Participation in Practice
(WR) Devin Smith (Foot) - Limited Participation in Practice
(RB) Chris Ivory (Hamstring) - Full Participation in Practice
Questionable:
(WR) Brandon Marshall (Ankle) - Limited Participation in Practice
(CB) Buster Skrine (Shoulder) - Limited Participation in Practice
(G) Willie Colon (Knee) - Did Not Participate In Practice
Doubtful:
(RB) Bilal Powell (Ankle) - Limited Participation in Practice
Out:
(S) Calvin Pryor (Ankle) - Did Not Participate In Practice
Abe Gutierrez's (Twitter: @GutierrezAbe) passion led him to ditch law school journey in order to launch his own publishing company. His expertise make him a valued addition to Examiner.com, AXS.com and the CBS-Sports family. Some of his work can be found on CBS-Miami (Dolphins), CBS-LosAngeles (Chargers), CBS-BayArea (Raiders), CBS-NewYork (NY Jets), CBS-TampaBay (Buccaneers), AXS.com, Examiner.com and other online publications.
