Dee Milliner would be helpful for a hurting secondary despite his struggles.
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With a game against Tom Brady ahead of them, the Jets need all the help they can get on the back end. Cornerback Dee Milliner’s return to the field on Wednesday and Kyle Wilson’s on Thursday is tremendous news for the Jets.
Milliner, the No. 9 pick in the NFL Draft and the Jets’ top draft pick, has had a rough go on the field as he acclimates to the NFL. In addition, he is battling a left hamstring injury. Head coach Rex Ryan said Milliner was limited in practice on Wednesday but when asked if his rookie cornerback could play against the Patriots, Ryan sounded upbeat.
Milliner sounded the same optimism on Thursday.
“I’m feeling good, feeling great. [I have] been working, doing some more stuff out there,” Milliner said. “Hopefully I can be out there. I’ve just been sticking to what the trainers have been telling me.”
Wilson was also limited in practice on Thursday with a head injury. He told Metro he hasn’t been diagnosed with a concussion but will undergo further tests and evaluations today. He also went through evaluations throughout the past week.
If those tests go well, Wilson could perhaps have the red noncontact jersey taken off by Friday.
“So far so good,” Wilson told Metro. “I’m not sure they labeled it [a concussion]. They just told me to take it day-by-day.”
After the hit on Sunday in the Steelers game, he said “I didn’t feel right. Next play, I couldn’t go out with one eye.”
After being limited in practice Wednesday, wide receiver David Nelson was a full participant in practice on Thursday with a hamstring injury.
Nelson should play on Sunday.
“Absolutely, I practiced from start to end, every single rep,” Nelson said. “I’m ready to go.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
