New York Jets center Nick Mangold is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that has sidelined him since the beginning of the Jets’ Week 2 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jets coach Rex Ryan said Mangold did partake in some reps during Friday’s practice, but he was limited and is listed as questionable heading into New York’s Week 4 bout with the Baltimore Ravens (2-1).
“I think if today was the game, I would say no,” Ryan said during his Friday presser about the odds Mangold suits up this weekend. “But, the fact it’s a Sunday night game may help the process. … He’s a legitimate gametime (decision). Not one of those you-really-know-what’s-going-to-happen-and-say-he’s-gametime. He literally is gametime.”
The Jets (2-1) could really use the All-Pro lineman’s services Sunday with a premier defensive tackle in Haloti Ngata lining up at Baltimore’s defensive front. If Mangold can’t go, Colin Baxter will get his second straight start snapping to quarterback Mark Sanchez.
"I think, for Mangold, he wants to compete against the best, obviously, and Haloti is the best," Ryan said. "He’s trying to do what he can to get ready. He’s been doing that. I think as competitive as Nick is, he’d like that opportunity. … We’ll make the best decision for the team, obviously.”
If Ryan were in Mangold’s position, he would just assume sit this one out, as Ryan knows what kind of disruptive force Ngata is from Ryan’s tenure as defensive coach with the Ravens.
“If it was me, I’d be like, ‘No, my hamstring is killing me.’" Ryan joked. "‘Well, I thought it was your ankle?’ ‘No, it’s my hamstring, ankle, shoulder, everything.’”
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