Jets' Revis has strained hamstring, status unclear

[September 21, 2010]  FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Jets' shutdown cornerback isn't being shut down just yet.

An MRI exam Monday revealed that Darrelle Revis has a strained left hamstring, but he would not rule himself out of New York's game at Miami on Sunday night.

"They just said it's strained and it could take one to two weeks, or it could take a week," Revis said. "It depends on how my body recovers."

Revis, who was limited in practice last week with tightness in the hamstring, immediately grabbed at his leg after Randy Moss made a spectacular, one-handed 34-yard touchdown grab with 53 seconds left in the first half of New York's 28-14 win over New England.

He was examined on the sideline, and then taken to the locker room for treatment. Revis, who said he felt 100 percent healthy before the game, didn't return and watched the second half in the trainer's room.

"I'm not going to step out on the field until I actually feel 100 percent," Revis said. "Right now, it's tight. I can feel that it's tight. Once I don't feel that tightness anymore, that's when I'll get out on the field."

Coach Rex Ryan said the team wants to play it safe with Revis, an All-Pro last season when he did a terrific job covering opponents' top receivers.

"With hamstrings, you really can't tell," Ryan said. "Could he play in nickel situations? Is it best to rest him the whole time? We've got to be smart with this one."

Revis said the leg doesn't hurt when he's standing still but he can feel the tightness whenever he lifts his leg.

"It's not a pull or anything," he said. "It's just a strained hamstring. You've got to rest it. It takes time with a strained hamstring."

Revis pulled the same hamstring last summer and missed two preseason games. He said that injury was worse.

"Right now, we don't want to push it to where it's a problem in a game or I've got to keep coming out of a game or I can't practice," he said.

If Revis can't play Sunday, Antonio Cromartie likely would draw the assignment of covering Brandon Marshall.

Revis missed all of training camp while holding out for 36 days in a contract dispute, and acknowledged last week that it likely played a role in the injury. He also played every defensive snap in the Jets' season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, then had a quick turnaround to prepare for Moss and the Patriots.

The Jets' defense was on the field for all but a minute in the first quarter as the Patriots controlled the clock early.

"We were out there for a while," Revis said. "Just all the running in a week or a week and a half, usually I'd be getting that work in camp. The second game running around chasing after Randy, playing man coverage, that's a lot of running around. That's a lot on my legs. It probably was (a factor) being out there a long time."

Meanwhile, Ryan said he hadn't gotten results of MRI exams, but was optimistic center Nick Mangold (right shoulder) and linebacker Jason Taylor (left elbow) would play against the Dolphins despite missing some time Sunday.

He added that linebacker Calvin Pace, sidelined the first two games with a broken right foot, is progressing well but might need to sit out one more game.

[Associated Press; By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.