Coleman suffers knee injury but should play

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Drew Coleman got a bit of a scare yesterday, suffering a knee injury in one of the final drills of practice.

The starting nickel back was taken for a precautionary MRI, a source said, but he should be ready to go when the Jets meet the Patriots in their AFC divisional matchup Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

"He feels fine," the source said, "expects to play Sunday."

If for some reason Coleman has an unforeseen setback, the Jets will go with a replacement-by-committee approach. Kyle Wilson, the rookie who began the season as the starting nickel back but was demoted on the depth chart after struggling, would move back into the starting role and reserves Marquice Cole and Dwight Lowery likely would also see some time covering the Patriots' slot receiver.

"If he can't go, sure it would be a blow," defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. "But again, that's the only thing that I think we feel pretty good about is our depth on the back. Between Kyle and Cole and Dwight Lowery, and then the ability to potentially put [Isaiah] Trufant [up] and make Trufant active."

Smith improving, still iffy

Brad Smith (groin) was able to get in a little work in practice, but whether he's able to give it a go Sunday is still up in the air. The status of the versatile wide receiver/kick returner could come down to how he looks in pregame warmups.

"We could make this a last-second decision," special-teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said. "[Trainers] have to see a certain progression before they know this type of injury is well enough to continue . . . We're prepared to go without him, but we'd love to have him."

Extra points

RG Brandon Moore (back) returned to practice after injuring himself in the weight room Wednesday. "I feel a lot better," Moore said, "a lot better."