The Jets are desperate to get all hands (and backs) on deck for this Sunday's highly-anticipated tilt with the New England Patriots — even if it means players taking a rehab road less traveled.
Nose tackle Kris Jenkins, who was limited to practice on Wednesday with a lower back ailment, made an appointment with a chiropractor this week in hopes of loosening up the 6-foot-4, 360-pound beast.
“I’m trying to make sure that I give my team the best that I can give it,” Jenkins told Eric Allen of newyorkjets.com. “And if that means I have to go and do a couple of things real quick to make sure I’m ready to go on Sunday, then that’s what I have to do.”
The nine-year veteran told the New York media that the aching back is nothing to worry about.
“It’s not me trying to weasel out of work and it’s not me having like serious issues,” he said. “I wish I could tell you all this is probably the only time it will happen, but it may not be. It depends. If I feel something in my body that I may have to take care of, then I’m going to do it. I’m going to make sure whatever I do that I’m going to get my butt out on the field.”
Last season, Jenks faced a similar back issue — an ailment which sidelined him for no more than the majority of one game.
“This is the deal. Last year when we played San Diego, it was kind of like the same situation. I felt a little something, but I assumed that because I’m as tough as I am, I’ll be able to get through it and I’ll be fine,” he said. “Then when I went to the game, things happened and it didn’t work out the way I wanted to.”
Jenkins had one tackle in the Jets' Week 1 win over the Texans. Last season — his first with the Jets after seven in Carolina — the Maryland alum tallied 37 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 16 contests for the Green and White.
