Jet's Leading Tackler has Ankle Sprain

[AGrizzlyBaer]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Jets-leading-tackler-in-doubt-010410

Updated Jan 4, 2010 8:51 PM EDT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)

New York Jets linebacker David Harris has a sprained right ankle and his availability for the team's wild-card playoff game at Cincinnati on Saturday is uncertain.

Losing Harris would be a huge blow to the Jets' top-ranked defense. He leads the team in tackles and has 5 1/2 sacks and two interceptions.

Harris was injured in the first half of New York's 37-0 victory over the Bengals on Sunday night and was replaced by Ryan Fowler at inside linebacker.

"I'm definitely concerned, absolutely," coach Rex Ryan said. "I know if there's any way possible to play, he's going to play. We'll see how he is. Do I expect him to be a full go (Tuesday) for practice? No, I don't, but hopefully he'll surprise me."

Ryan said Fowler finished the game despite taking a blow to the head at some point, and his status also is unclear.

"We'll see about him," Ryan said. "Hopefully he's OK."

If Harris and Fowler can't play, Kenwin Cummings would step in. Cummings, signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wingate in 2008, has been inactive the last seven games since being signed from the practice squad.

[TJJackson]

He'll play

Its an ankle sprain, and its the playoffs

Tape, cortisone, and rest

[Sea Ray]

He'll play

Its an ankle sprain, and its the playoffs

Tape, cortisone, and rest

He may very well play but he won't be 100%. As a MLB if you lose a step that's all it takes to miss a tackle.

With all the injuries we have I have no sympathy for the other team's banged up players

[Ickey44]

With all the injuries we have I have no sympathy for the other team's banged up players

Amen to that.

[cincyhokie]

He'll play

Its an ankle sprain, and its the playoffs

Tape, cortisone, and rest

He may very well play but he won't be 100%. As a MLB if you lose a step that's all it takes to miss a tackle.

With all the injuries we have I have no sympathy for the other team's banged up players

I wouldn't be suprised if it is a more severe sprain. It's too quiet around this injury. If he was able to tape it up and play we'd be hearing that right now. My guess is that it's a high sprain. If so, he won't be worth anything.

[cincyhokie]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81586566&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Interesting where it says "Ryan wouldn't comment on whether or not it was a high sprain."

Of course he didn't but if it was just "a sprain" he could play with he'd come out and say that.

Either way, I don't like to see injuries but Harris is hurt and that helps us. There's no way he comes out in below 20 degree weather and performs at a high level. If I had to bet, I'd say he's not going to play.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Great news, even if he's able to play. Teams are revealing very little about injuries these says. The fact that it's even mentioned along with the possibility he might not play says to me it's a significant injury.

The Jets defense is vastly different without Harris and Jenkins up the middle, and Rhodes is still struggling with his tackling on the back end. If you haven't seen much of Kerry this year, think Madieu Williams. Harris is a tackling machine, and you almost have to be a star to play ILB in Rex's scheme, with his individual and their team's stats against the run.

Might be a 40-carry week at home for Ced, and I think Marvin prepared in advance for the possibilty of that happening.

[dewaynesworld63]

NY Jets linebacker David Harris returns to practice

By Dave Hutchinson/The Star Ledger

January 07, 2010, 11:33AM

Jets final preparation as they practice thursday for the Wild Card game against the Bengals. William Perlman/The Star-LedgerJets linebacker David Harris was back on the practice field Thursday in the Jets' final practice before Saturday's playoff game against the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Jets linebacker David Harris returned to practice today and will start against the Cincinnati Bengals in Saturday's wild-card matchup in Cincinnati.

Harris, who suffered a sprained right ankle in last Sunday's game against the Bengals, worked with the first team and didn't show any signs of being hindered by the injury in the portion of practice open to the media.

OH YEAH!!!

[Ickey44]

Yeah, I saw that earlier. It looks like both clubs will be at relatively full strength for the game. No excuses.

[COB]

Ouch.

[pats-hater]

Harris is going to bring it too.

Did a mod delete the other thread I had been posting in because I upset a few fans?

pats-hater

[BengalByTheBay]

Harris is going to bring it too.

Did a mod delete the other thread I had been posting in because I upset a few fans?

pats-hater

Well, you clearly have us scared to death. Let's see whether it has any effect on the people that matter.

[ct_bengal]

where are these jets bums coming from? and who gives a s**t about harris...i didnt even kno who he was until this week

[ArmyBengal]

I didnt even know who he was until this week

He leads the Jets in tackles (127) and has had a very good season for them.

I only know that because I looked up his stats, but had never heard his name before this past Sunday, so no, I could care less if he's playing.

[dewaynesworld63]

I didnt even know who he was until this week

He leads the Jets in tackles (127) and has had a very good season for them.

I only know that because I looked up his stats, but had never heard his name before this past Sunday, so no, I could care less if he's playing.

Surprisingly, you are not the only ones who have not heard of him. He plays at an all-pro level. He was at the top of many lists as one of the biggest pro-bowl snubs but he managed to make some "experts'" all-pro team anyway. When the Jets tried to trade for Brandon Marshall, the Broncos said they would make the deal in exchange for David Harris. The Jets basically said, "Hell no!" That might give you a better idea just how good he is.

[HairOnFire]

You can bet Marvin knows who Harris is. In fact, I remember how, without any prompting at all, he gushed about Harris after he was drafted by the Jets.

[BlainThePain]

You can bet Marvin knows who Harris is. In fact, I remember how, without any prompting at all, he gushed about Harris after he was drafted by the Jets.

Yeah, that year I remember reading about how the Bengals targeted Revis and Harris in that draft, but the Jets jumped in front of us both times and took them. We obviously made out all right with the Leon Hall pick, but we ended up taking Kenny Irons with the second round pick.

[BlainThePain]

Double post.

[HairOnFire]

You can bet Marvin knows who Harris is. In fact, I remember how, without any prompting at all, he gushed about Harris after he was drafted by the Jets.

Yeah, that year I remember reading about how the Bengals targeted Revis and Harris in that draft, but the Jets jumped in front of us both times and took them. We obviously made out all right with the Leon Hall pick, but we ended up taking Kenny Irons with the second round pick.

Yup. I can still remember while the draft was going on Lewis was asked to comment on what the Bengals had done so far. He started out with about a 5 minute riff on Leon Hall's outstanding character, and then deflated a little before mentioning the Bengals need for a RB. Without prompting Lewis then mentioned Harris as a guy they had targeted....using the word "solid" at least three times to describe Harris. You could almost see the manlove in his eyes.

FWIW, NFL.com is reporting Harris moved well in practice and was likely to play, but unlike other websites claimed his practice session was severely limited.