Jets' Jenkins done for the season
Photo credit: Getty Images | Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins limps off the field with the assistance of two trainers after injuring his left leg in Sunday's loss to the Bills.
Oct. 18: Bills 16, Jets 13
Kris Jenkins
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - As if Sunday’s painful 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills wasn’t bad enough, the Jets suffered a major blow Monday when nose tackle Kris Jenkins was placed on injured reserve after tearing his left ACL, effectively ending his season.
Jenkins, the heart and soul of the Jets’ defense, was injured in the second quarter as he was engaged in a block. His loss is a tremendous one because he’s the defensive line’s anchor, occupying as many as two blockers on most plays because of his athletic 6-4, 360-pound frame.
“It’s going to be hard to replace Kris,” Rex Ryan said Monday. “There’s not many Kris Jenkins playing in this league. So obviously his impact’s going to be felt. I have a lot of confidence in the guys behind him in Sione [Pouha], and Mike DeVito and we’ll add Howard Green back. … But to think that they are going to come and play like Kris is not realistic.”
This is the second time Jenkins has torn one of his ACLs. He tore the one in his right knee in 2005 while with Carolina. The plan for him now is to try to strengthen the knee over the next two weeks before eventually having surgery performed by Dr. Kenneth D. Montgomery. Jenkins said the surgery will involve replacing the ACL with one of his hamstrings.
The ninth-year pro was obviously disappointed, yet was still upbeat as he talked about his situation Monday.
“Honestly if this was the first time I would have went through something like this, then it probably would be tough,” he said. "But honestly this is something that I’ve kind of understood over time, it comes with the game. Yeah, my feelings are hurt that I won’t be able to be out there fighting with my teammates this year. But it still doesn’t mean I won’t be around. It still doesn’t mean that I’m not a part of this team. Just won’t be seen as much.”
Although he’s yet to completely talk it over with his wife Tashia, Jenkins said he has no plans on calling it a career. He said in an interview with Newsday two weeks ago that he thought about retiring after the 2008 season because of his nagging back injury, but was energized once he met Rex Ryan because he thought this 3-4 defense was perfect for him.
Said Jenkins: “I’m pretty confident that football isn’t done for me yet.”
