The Jets’ elite defensive unit has propelled them to a 3-0 record heading into this week’s matchup against the Saints. But Rex Ryan’s squad may need some help to stay unbeaten in the Big Easy.
Ryan watched his Jets practice on Wednesday without three key defensive backs — corners Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland, plus strong safety Jim Leonhard. Sheppard is nursing a pulled quad, Strickland has a sprained ankle, and Leonhard’s injury has not been disclosed by the team. All three are uncertain for Sunday’s game.
That spells trouble against Sean Payton’s Saints, who feature arguably the league’s most potent air attack led by quarterback Drew Brees. Darrelle Revis might be developing into one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, but he won’t be able to contain Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey and Pierre Thomas on his own.
Concerns about the secondary depth led the Jets to work out 32-year-old veteran cornerback Corey Ivy, who was one of the Browns’ final cuts in September. Ivy knows Rex Ryan’s defense from his three seasons with the Ravens, but ultimately was not tendered a contract by the Jets.
That may be a sign that the Jets are confident that at least a couple of their injured defenders will return by week’s end to help the team go for its first 4-0 start since 2004. Otherwise, Ryan and the Jets’ brass will need to look for urgent secondary help.
If the injury report comes out with Sheppard, Strickland and Leonhard out, Brees and the Saints’ top-ranked offense – which has produced a league-high 438 yards and 48 points per game – will be licking its chops.
