The Jets are banged up at the moment — on both sides of the ball — and as we near gameday, just how close players are to suiting up is becoming clearer. Unfortanately for the Jets, that doesn’t necessarily mean good things. WRs Brad Smith and Jerricho Cotchery are leaning towards being out Sunday — but Rex won’t rule them out until gametime.

Rex just got done talking not too long ago. He’s not ruling out Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) or Brad Smith (quad). Both wide receivers are listed as doubtful against the Bills.

“I know it has been reported that J-Co is already out but that is news to me,” Ryan said. “Do I expect him to play? I am not sure. It is doubtful. But I still want to make that decision, probably a game-time decision.”

As far as in the secondary, Lito Sheppard is back in starting opposite Darrelle Revis, but nickel corner Donald Strickland is still not quite there.

“It might be that I might be a week away,” Strickland told The Star-Ledger after Friday’s practice.

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The seven-year veteran said he feels the most pain when he puts on his brakes.

“When you stop on a dime,” he said, “it hurts a little more.”

Strickland’s continued absence means further reliance on Donald Strickland Drew Coleman and/or Dwight Lowery in the slot. As we saw last week, that came back to bite the Jets on two critical third downs. Sheppard’s return is huge, but the Bills have multiple weapons at WR and if they can give Edwards time, he will dump off to guys in the slot play after play.

As far as the wideouts go, I don’t expect either Smith or Cotchery to play on a wet turn Sunday. It’s never good new when your special teams WR (Wallace Wright) is your slot guy and the guy you traded for a week ago is now lacking a legit weapon opposite him to take away the double team. The Bills may be teetering, but they shut down the Saints’ passing game a few weeks ago and will have talented safety Donte Whitner back this week. This is not a promising development at all. Obviously, Braylon and David Clowney will have to make some plays in the passing game — but it will be their run blocking that determines this game. On a slick turf, with a less-than-half-strength recieving corps, look for Schotty to pound the ball all day long, moreso than before. This will be a game won, much like last week, with a ball-control offense, and a run-stuffing defense. Let’s just hope the team comes better equipped and prepared for the Bills than they did for the Dolphins or it could be an unnecessarily long day.

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