Ferguson OK after giving Jets practice scare

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The Jets received a mild scare at practice Thursday when left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson fell and jammed his shoulder.

Ferguson should be fine for Sunday's game, coach Rex Ryan said. The mishap would have hardly merited more than a fleeting thought if not for the season-ending fractured tibia suffered by safety Jim Leonhard in last Friday's practice.

"This one wasn't near as bad as the Jim Leonhard one," Ryan said. "We're going hard. We're pushing them. He went to finish his block and kind of fell on . . . jammed his shoulder a little bit. He's going to be fine."

Leonhard paid his first visit to the practice facility since his injury. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine admitted the team felt Leonhard's absence Monday.

"We're not in the excuse business," Pettine said, "but when you look at how everybody was affected and how everybody's level of play was lower . . . It was something. If I had to point at it, maybe that's the best explanation . . . It was great to see him. He's got a little scooter. We're going to put him to work coaching next week, get him to watch some tape."

Rain men?

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The Jets practiced with wet footballs in anticipation of rain on Sunday. Forecasts call for rain and temperatures in the mid-40s for the 4:15 p.m. kickoff.

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Ryan said his "ball burial" ploy from the other day did not come from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who did it in 2001 after a blowout loss to Miami. He said it was suggested by his father, Buddy. Said Ryan, "I stole it from my dad, who probably stole it from Pop Warner."