Jets-Dolphins: Injury Report/Analysis

Jets:

DNP:Dustin Keller (Hamstring) – He is confident that he will play despite this nagging hamstring injury. Even if he does, expect Jeff Cumberland to get a large amount of snaps as Keller eases his way back into the lineup.

Bryan Thomas (Hamstring) – Thomas’ status is also up in the air for Sunday, however his replacement Garrett McIntyre played very well filling in against Pittsburgh. While it would be nice to have the veteran Thomas back in the lineup, McIntyre gives the Jets some flexibility when deciding whether to push Thomas to play.

John Conner (Knee) –Conner may have reinjured his MCL against the Steelers and could miss the Dolphins game. He hasn’t been overly impressive thus far and his absence won’t greatly affect this week’s game plan.

Eric Smith (Hip/Knee) – Smith didn’t practice Wednesday but will likely suit up Sunday in his backup role. Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry have been solid so don’t expect to see too much of Smith on defense.

Limited:Sione Pouha (Low Back) – Pouha helped solidify the run defense last week, and hopefully with another week gone by he will be healthier. He will be needed to halt Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller in the Dolphins run game.

Darrelle Revis (Concussion) – It is uncertain whether Revis will play as he is not yet cleared for contact. As seen against Pittsburgh his absence hurts the defense, however, against the Dolphins the focus will be stopping the run which would lessen the impact of his absence just a bit. Regardless, they need him back as soon as possible.

Ellis Lankster (Low Back) – Lankster is the third CB with Revis out and must play. Though the Jets pass defense struggled against Pittsburgh’s fast receivers, they were playing more zone coverage than usual. Against the Dolphins less impressive array of receivers, the Jets may be able to revert to their man coverage schemes even with Lankster, Kyle Wilson and Isaiah Trufant on the field.

Also worth noting is that a laundry list of starters including Mark Sanchez, Antonio Cromartie and Nick Mangold appeared on the injury report this week. All of them were full practice participants and expect to play Sunday.

Dolphins:

Limited:Richard Marshall (Back) –Marshall has been playing nickel back for the Dolphins and may play Sunday. However if he doesn’t the Jets may be able to attack that weakness with slot receiver Jeremy Kerley or with Santonio Holmes lined up inside.

Anthony Armstrong (Hamstring) – Armstrong is battling a hamstring injury and the Dolphins can use all the receiving help they can get. Without Armstrong the passing game will continue to be what some are calling the most pedestrian attack in the league, and even with him that is a distinction that will be hard to shake.