Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams could be ready for returns vs. Patriots

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – It was a good day for the New York Jets secondary as cornerbacks Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams both made gains from their recent injuries. It is unclear if both players will be ready for this Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots.

Both Skrine (concussion) and Williams (hamstring) did some more work on the field on Thursday, especially encouraging since Skrine was held out of Wednesday’s practice. Facing the league’s best passing attack, it is encouraging that both players could potentially be available to shore-up the back-end.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Williams was still “50-50” and he expects to know more as the week progresses. In addition, he didn’t hype up Skrine’s return to the practice field as a sure-fire sign that he’d be available to play.

“He ran around, ran fast,” Bowles said about Skrine. “He still going through the protocol but he did run around some more today.”

JETS NOTES

– Running back Steven Ridley, a former Patriot, continues to show more and might be ready to go on Sunday. Ridley hasn’t been activated yet as he overcomes offseason ACL and MCL surgery. “It’s possible. I don’t know what we’ll determine, third or fourth back type of thing,” Bowles said. “He ran around more today.”

– Running back Bilal Powell and safety Jaiquawn Jarrett did not practice on Thursday as they begin to look more doubtful for a return to the field.

– The aforementioned Skrine and Williams along with guard Willie Colon and wide receiver Chris Owusu were all limited in practice according to Bowles.

– Wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall were also limited as Bowles said both players were “sore.”