Eric Decker would be a huge boost to the Jets’ receiving corps.
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Jets wide receiver Eric Decker was limited in practice on Thursday, a sign that perhaps his injured hamstring is finally getting better.
Decker, who left the Jets’ Monday night loss in the second quarter with a hamstring injury, did not practice on Wednesday but on Thursday he did some drills with the wide receivers. His return would be a huge boost for a rather ordinary passing offense.
Decker said “today felt better than yesterday” and seemed optimistic about playing Sunday night against the Lions.
“It felt good. It felt a lot better than last week. Felt a lot better than the beginning of this week,” Decker said. “I’m happy with my progression, happy with where I’m at right now. I’m planning on getting out there [Sunday]. I can’t promise anything but obviously I’m being on the positive side. I’ll be out there.”
He leads the team in receptions and receiving yards despite being hampered by the hamstring injury.
The not-so-encouraging news is about Dee Milliner, who did not practice on Thursday and head coach Rex Ryan sounded less than optimistic his top cornerback will play this weekend.
Milliner suffered a high ankle sprain that kept him out of three preseason games and the season opener against the Raiders. He played Week 2 at the Packers, but did not perform well, perhaps showing rust or perhaps showing his ankle injury wasn’t fully healed. Then that following week, the bad news brigade rolled on as he pulled his right quadriceps while running in practice. He was held out of the Monday night loss to the Bears and appears destined for yet another missed game this week.
The injury list got a bit longer on Thursday as center Dalton Freeman left practice early with a knee injury, according to head coach Rex Ryan. Freeman is the backup behind Nick Mangold.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
