New York Jets: Todd Bowles speaks about injury bug

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Aug 8, 2015

When it comes to injuries, even the New York Jets get hit by it too. Unfortunately for Dee Milliner and Antonio Allen, both members of the Jets’ defensive secondary are down and out due to injuries suffered during training camp. Head coach Todd Bowles will now have to deal with continuing the path towards a rebounding season even though his defense at the moment is banged up a little.

The Jet Press would like to thank the Media Relations Department of the New York Jets for sending us a full transcript of what Bowles said about the latest injuries to hit the Jets, Geno Smith and much more. Here it is in its entirety:

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On the nature of Dee Milliner’s wrist injury…

Well he said he jammed somebody and kind of dislocated something up in here, which was a wrist injury. It had to require surgery, which you rarely see, but there was a bone that went out of place that had to be fixed. So we had to get him done.

On whether Dee Milliner came out of practice after his injury yesterday…

They said he came out towards the end, but he practiced most of it. He just thought it was a sprain, so he kept going. And I think when they finally pulled him out, after all was said and done, we didn’t know about it until he got x-rayed and everything else. So he had to get surgery.

On frustration level with Milliner’s repeated injuries…

I think it’s more frustrating for him, I mean he started doing some good things. He got back healthy and to have another setback like that, with the injury he already came off of, you’ve got to be deflated a little bit. But I think he’ll be back sooner [rather] than later with this one. He still should be able to get in sometime this year.

On the exact location and nature Milliner’s injury…

No, matter of fact it was a tendon injury, but he still had to get surgery on it. And when I first heard about it I assumed it was a dislocation, I could be wrong there, but either way it was bothering him a lot and he had to get surgery on it.

On Antonio Allen’s injury and its impact on the team…

That’s a tough break for him. He was having a good camp. The guy comes to work. He practices hard. He plays hard. It’s a freak accident, nobody touches you, you just try to take off on your foot and your Achilles goes. You’ve seen it happen, you don’t want to see it happen. Your heart goes out to him. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon, and he’s just got to rehab and get better.

On Darrin Walls being utilized at safety…

No, it’s nothing more than just an emergency in case somebody went down, so he had to be a dual player. We got a bunch of our nickels learning that as well just in case an injury happens and he can move inside. He’s taller than the rest of the guys and very smart, very instinctive so we just told him, in the back of his head he needs to learn it.

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Darrin Walls (30) runs back an interception against Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) during the third quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On Milliner’s history of battling injuries…

Well, his career hasn’t been long, so you have to give the kid a chance. You know he’s only been here for a year and a half, so he’s had some bad breaks. Hopefully he can turn the corner and get this one behind him. He’s got a lot of mental toughness so, he beats this one, hopefully he comes back healthy.

On whether Milliner’s durability is a concern…

No, not at this time. I’m just getting to know him. So, being a rookie, and coming in and getting hurt before a year and a half. A lot of guys have done that and have gotten over it, a lot of guys haven’t. So you have to wait and see. Some guys just bite the injury bug. Dee’s had some freakish accidents that have happened to him unfortunately and we hope he comes back healthy.

On how he believes Milliner is dealing with the situation…

I’m sure it’s tough on him after battling back from injury last year. To come back, start running and finally start practicing and something else happens, it’s a setback. But again, he’s mentally tough. He’s mentally strong, so he’ll bounce back from this.

On if there is an update on Chris Owusu and other injuries…

Owusu got dinged up in the head a little bit. I’m not sure what happened after that, I know he went out a little woozy. I have to go inside to see what was happening there. Revis didn’t get nicked up. We wanted to hold him and rest his legs a little more, so we held him out most of the practice as we did a couple other guys. (Curtis) Brown got a leg injury. I’m not sure if it was a hamstring or something but, he had a leg or a groin injury so he went off the field early.

On players such as David, Calvin Pace and Brandon Marshall were sidelined for veteran resting…

Just resting.

On if it adds any excitement being at MetLife stadium tomorrow in front of the fans…

I’m sure it does for the guys because they get to play on their home field. It’s a different place from the practice field. At least it looks different even if it isn’t a different practice. I know the fans will get a lot of guys hyped up. I’m sure there will be some excitement.

On why he decided to not have a scrimmage…

Like I said, we have some hitting going on here. We’ve been hitting a long time. It’s been a long week, maybe if it was a shorter week and we got going, maybe it would have been a scrimmage game. We hit a lot here and it’s another continuation of our process, we’re not going to break our camp mode. They’ll be hitting up front and those types of things. So, maybe if they get down to the goal line we’ll tackle but for the most part we’ll try to keep them upright.

On if the green and white practice will resemble a normal practice…

Yeah, probably more plays in gametime situations, but it will resemble a regular practice.

On what happened with Shaquelle Evans…

He’s got bruised ribs.

Jul 24, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Shaq Evans (81) runs with the ball during drills at training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

On the impact of Buster Skrine in the secondary…

The biggest thing about Buster is that he comes out to work every day. He grinds and he tries to be perfect every day. He plays hard. He’s one of the hardest working guys out there. You don’t know that about a guy coming in, you know how he plays, but practice habits tell you a lot about him. He’s humble, he’s hungry, he can play inside and outside. So far, he has been a delight.

On how good he thinks Skrine, Revis, and Antonio Cromartie can be together…

If they learn to play together, they can be good, but it just doesn’t count on those three. It counts on the pass rush, the linebackers, (and) the safeties as well. They have a chance to be good if we continue to work like we are.

On how he would assess the running game…

I think we have a good run scheme. So far, the offensive line has done a good job and the running backs have done a good job. I mean, we’re not tackling for the most part other than the other day, so you get to see it real time and certain guys get tired and certain guys are nicked up. You want to see it game time, but I think we’re making good progress there.

On Geno Smith so far…

I think he’s night and day from the spring and from OTAs and everything else. Just the confidence he has with the offense and the no-hesitation thing for the most part. I think he’s done a good job so far.

On Lorenzo Mauldin doing well in the one-on-one drill against the offensive line…

I was over at one-on-ones, so I didn’t get to see the drill, but I’ll go inside and take a look at it. Hopefully, you’ll get a lot out of him. He brings energy out there. He’s a movement and energy guy, so hopefully he continues that.

On whether there is any new information on Muhammad Wilkerson…

Nothing. Same thing.

On the yelling between Ronald Talley and Pepper Johnson…

It’s camp. It gets hot. People get tired of getting yelled at, they yell back. They’re fine.

On whether he is surprised there hasn’t been a fight amongst the players yet…

There’s consequences and repercussions for fighting, so (laughs) they would be wise not to fight. I understand it gets hot, but they understand that we can’t. You get thrown out of ball games and everything else, so why do it in practice? You can’t take your helmet off and go after another guy and those type of things. First of all, it’s dumb and second of all, if you have that much energy, you have enough energy to run.

On whether he has seen the new NFL rules on fighting…

Yes, I saw them and that’s why you have to practice.

On whether he ever got into fights at practice when he was a player…

Everything was a street fight back then. You help your teammate. You jump in, and yes, I fought.

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media after the organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On whether having consequences for training camp fights is something he has picked up from other teams, or if he introduced it this year…

It’s been part of other teams as well. With the rules cracking down, you might as well practice what you’re going to play. I understand it gets heated sometimes, someone feels cheap-shotted one way or the other and things are going to happen, but you have to keep it to a minimum.

On whether Mo (Wilkerson) has had an MRI on his leg…

As far as I know, he did. He’s just tight right now and it’s just trouble loosening it up. We are just being careful.

On whether he thinks Wilkerson’s injury could be contracted related…

I don’t think so, no.

On what he’s seen from Dexter McDougle…

We’ve gone over technique so far. He’s quick, he’s fast. He’s a tough kid. He wants to get in there and be eager. He just has to calm down and learn some technique and understand what the guys are trying to do to him and that’s really what we’re going over.

On whether McDougle’s opportunity has increased with Dee Milliner going out…

I mean it was increased before. He wasn’t worried about anyone going out. They’re all in battle and competition, so we’re looking at Dexter no different than if Dee is here or he wasn’t here. He’s’ been doing some good things.

On who will pick up the slack now that Antonio Allen is injured…

(I don’t know if it’s about) picking up the slack, all of them are having good camps. We’re not the Jets yet. We’re battling to be the Jets so these guys are battling for competition. When somebody gets hurt, it’s an opportunity for somebody to come up and prove they belong or get better, so that’s what I’m looking for.

On who will step up…

I don’t know. We’re going to see.

Next: Coffee with the New York Jets: Dee Milliner injury update

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