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Sione Po'uha Questionable For Jets' Season Opener; Dustin Keller Expected To Play

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Jets defensive tackle Sione Po'uha has been declared questionable, but safety Eric Smith will not play in the team's season opener against Buffalo on Sunday.

Tight end Dustin Keller is expected to play after missing time with a hamstring injury. Coach Rex Ryan said that Keller is "ready to roll" after hurting his right leg in the Jets' preseason game against Carolina on Aug. 26.

Ryan said that Po'uha, sidelined since training camp with a sore back, is "close" and has been "begging us to play," but the team may decide to be cautious. Kenrick Ellis will take Po'uha's starting spot at nose tackle if he's unable to play.

Smith sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and hurt his hip in the preseason opener at Cincinnati, and hasn't fully practiced since.

Entering his seventh season with Gang Green, Po'uha amassed 58 tackles, forced a fumble and recorded one sack in 2011.

In his lone season with New York last season, Ellis made seven tackles in five games.

Po'uha would be a very tough loss on the defensive side for the Jets. Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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