C.J. Mosley could be a game-time decision for a second straight game for the Jets, but the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker sounded as if he’s leaning toward the cautious route with the injury to his right big toe that kept him from playing last Thursday against the Patriots.
“Obviously I would love to play [Sunday against the Broncos], but I’m just gonna make sure I’m 100 percent,” Mosley said before sitting out practice for a second consecutive day. “Obviously it’s a long season, and the worst thing I can do, which I’ve done before, is to get out there too early and hurt myself.”
The 32-year-old Mosley, who worked with a trainer on the side during Thursday’s session, would be replaced again by Jamien Sherwood at middle linebacker.
“This whole offseason, training camp, OTAs, he’s been balling out and he’s been the most productive linebacker in our room,” Mosley said. “And it shows with his preparation. He’s a very smart linebacker, instinctive, and he’s a communicator. So any help I can give him, or any questions he asks me, obviously I’m available, but we have 100 percent confidence in Sherwood running the defense.”
Aaron Rodgers didn’t play in last year’s game against the Broncos, so this will be his first time facing them since he engaged in a war of words with Denver coach Sean Payton last year.
Payton had criticized his predecessor in Denver, current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Rodgers, who called for Payton to “keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth,” said such back-and-forth will remain in the past.
“Nah, that’s old news, you know?” Rodgers said Wednesday. “We’ve all said things that we’d like to take back, some things have been said and taken out of context I’m sure from time to time. But I honestly haven’t thought about it until you just brought it up.”
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on defensive end Jermaine Johnson’s season-ending Achilles injury:
“It’s impossible to replace a guy like Jermaine. I think sometimes externally you see the stats, you see the numbers, you see the pass rush and you see the splash plays, and he consistently makes those. But I don’t think he gets fully appreciated for the down-to-down player that he is. … He’s a guy that not only stands for everything we’re looking for from a talent perspective, but he stands for all the stuff from a culture standpoint, too, that we care about. So to lose that guy, it’s tough from a team perspective.”
