BREAKING: Quinton Coples Likely Out 3-4 Weeks with Hairline Fracture of the Ankle

Jul 26, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive end Quinton Coples (98) looks on during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

This is not good news for the New York Jets’ defense. Not good news at all.

Jets’ defensive lineman/linebacker left the game tonight with an apparent ankle injury. According to a report from Rich Cimini, Quinton is going to miss 3-4 weeks with a hairline fracture of the ankle.

It looks like a procedure does not need to be done, which is a good sign.  If surgery had been required, that obviously would have increased his recovery time, keeping him out much longer.  So there is that little bit of silver lining in some otherwise unfortunate news.

The Jets will have to go into “next man up” mode, clearly.  Antwan Barnes will get more opportunities to get after the quarterback, as will guys like Ricky Sapp.  One man’s tragedy is another man’s opportunity, so we will see how these guys respond in the next month.

As we have said, the Jets defense is going to have to get to the quarterback if they are going to be successful.  Quinton started to do that a bit, nearly getting to Blaine Gabbert on a particular play tonight.

Hopefully this won’t stunt his growth too much.