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Jets Injury Report: Is Eric Decker returning this week?

ByMatthew Ordazzo|

Eric Decker will more than likely not be ready to return to the Jets until Week 6.

When can fans expect to see wide receiver Eric Decker back in the starting lineup? When it comes to the 2015 NFL season, the New York Jets are definitely in the top 10 when it comes down to teams plagued early on with injuries. Within the last three weeks, the Jets have had key players such as Willie Colon, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Lorenzo Mauldin, Chris Ivory and many others leave games due to injuries. Some were serious and some were minor. Decker in particular, the Jets prized free agent signing last season, falls in the middle.

Decker suffered an apparent PCL sprain back in the Jets’ Week 2 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, Decker has not only missed or has been limited in practice.

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He also missed last week’s game at home against the Philadelphia Eagles and as of right now, his status for their Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins in London, is 50/50. According to RotoWorld.com, Decker’s status for Week 4 will be decided later on today.

A typical grade one PCL sprain can heal within 10 days, a grade two PCL sprain could take up to three weeks. The average time table for returning from a PCL sprain is about 2-8 weeks, Fortunately for Decker and the Jets, there is no reason to be overly concerned about the severity of his sprain which leaves me to believe after the Jets Week 5 bye, hell be back in their lineup, ready to play for Week 6.

The Jets showed how important it is to have Decker in their lineup each week as they fell 24-17 to the Eagles, while he was a mere spectator. Currently, Decker has recorded 134 receiving yards on 10 receptions with 2 touchdowns, second behind wide out Brandon Marshall who has 272 receiving yards on 23 receptions and 3 touchdowns.

He may not be posting monster stats so far this season, but this wide out set of Marshall and Decker is the best duo since the good old days of having Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards (In their prime). Many fans brush off Decker as a receiver whose career ended once he signed the dotted line to become a Jet but many people forget he posted nearly 1,000 receiving yards with Geno Smith as his quarterback.

That alone in my opinion is just as impressive as J.J. Watt scoring a hand full of touchdowns on offense. Ok, maybe not that impressive but you understand my point. Hopefully, Decker returns to the field as early as Week 6. Without him, Marshall has been receiving a majority of the work load which is entirely manageable for the No. 1 wide out but the last thing Gang Green should do is overwork Marshall and have him face a possible injury as well.

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The last thing we need is to have Chris Owusu and Quincy Enunwa be our No. 1 and 2 wide outs. No disrespect towards either wide out as I’m impressed with their progression during the off-season but they are nowhere near No. 1 or 2 caliber wide outs.

Like I said earlier, the Jets aren’t too concerned about the severity of his sprain, Decker should be back in the Jets lineup and of course fantasy owners lineups by Week 6.

Next: Fantasy Football Start Or Sit Week 4: Chris Ivory

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