Achilles injury ends Thomas' season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Bryan Thomas' season is over.

The Jets' unheralded outside linebacker has been lost for the season after suffering an Achilles injury in Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. It's a crushing blow for Rex Ryan's defense.

Thomas, the Jets' longest-tenured player, isn't a flashy guy and he's not overly chatty despite being on a team loaded with colorful personalities. But he did a lot of the grunt work that often went unnoticed.

The 6-4, 265-pound, 10-year veteran had 14 combined tackles and one pass defense through his three-plus games before going down on the Ravens' second offensive possession.

"Unfortunate news about Bryan Thomas being lost for the season with an Achilles injury," said Ryan, whose team lost tight end Jeff Cumberland to a season-ending Achilles injury last week. "That's going to be a huge loss to us, obviously."

Ryan wouldn't name Jamaal Westerman as Thomas' replacement. He mentioned Aaron Maybin and Josh Mauga as possibilities. Garrett McIntyre, who's day-to-day with a concussion, could see time there. The Jets could use more four-man fronts as well.

Either way, it's not going to be easy replacing Thomas.

"It's tough when you lose a guy that is a true Jet, a guy that's played a lot of snaps for us," safety Jim Leonhard said. "We've got some guys that need to step up. There's no question about it."

Ryan: Mangold closer

Nick Mangold's status has been a hot topic the past two weeks, and that won't change this week with the Jets set to take on the rival Patriots. The All-Pro center missed his second straight game Sunday because of a high ankle sprain, but Ryan thinks he's inching closer to a return. "I hope so," Ryan said. "Will he practice Wednesday? He'll probably be limited. But like I said, he's getting better. They worked him pretty good before the game and he had no issues."