Jenkins believes he's still helping the team
Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is all smiles when he sees his family in the stands during training camp in Cortland, N.Y. (Aug. 7, 2010) Credit: Pat Orr
Kris Jenkins admits there are mixed feelings as he watches the Jets' playoff push toward the Super Bowl. On the one hand, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is delighted that his team is back in the AFC Championship Game for a second straight year.
On the other hand, it stinks not being a part of it on the field.
"I'm so ecstatic, because that's the one thing you play for on that personal level, on that team level," he said yesterday. "That's the one thing you want to take from this is just being a champion, walking away a champion."
Jenkins only wishes he could be on the field helping out. But after suffering a torn knee ligament in Week 1, Jenkins is devastated not to be playing.
"It's the worst," he said. "I can sit here all day and say, 'Oh, I'm OK.' But I'm not OK. As hard as I do work, I'd love to be able to bask in the reward of this, personally. It's not the same as if I'm cheering with the guys in the locker room. It's not the same as if I'm getting up and I've got scratches from battling against Mankins and [center Dan] Koppen. It's bittersweet."
Jenkins was put on injured reserve after he reinjured his left knee in a 10-9 loss to the Ravens in the opener. He had surgery the previous year for an injury suffered Oct. 18, 2009.
"You have to understand, 10 years in the game, this isn't like working at Bank of America," he said. "Three knee surgeries, a shoulder surgery. This isn't just a walk in the park. I've been playing this game with my life. Everybody who signs up for this game understands that you can lose your life playing this game. It may not happen every day, but it's still a possibility. Something bad can happen, and it's a wrap. So every time I get hurt or I go through something, it's a reminder of my mortality as an individual because these are things I have to go through physically. These are things I'm going to have problems with down the road. It doesn't make it easy."
But Jenkins still feels like a part of the team, even if he isn't playing. He continues to rehab his knee, and plans to make a comeback next season.
"I've played some great years of football," he said. "I've put my body out there and taken a beating, giving the team everything I can. As I get older, things are a lot more on the leadership side than the physical side. But I'm still getting paid to do this, so I still have a responsibility to this team, to this organization."
And yes, if the Jets go on to win the Super Bowl, Jenkins will still feel as if he's earned it, too. He will feel like a champion.
"Absolutely," he said. "Why wouldn't I? People might say, 'Well, you weren't playing.' Well, actually, I was. I was playing the first game, and I got hurt. I've been a part of this roster. I'm there. That's why they call it injured reserve. They didn't fire me. They didn't say, 'Thank you, we don't need you anymore,' and then send me home. I've still got a locker here. I'm just not a contributing factor on the field."
Jenkins continues to offer advice for fellow defensive tackles Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito. "He helped me to develop," Pouha said. "He imparted a lot to me, and didn't hold anything back. Obviously, I'm thankful for the opportunity to play, but I sure do miss the big fella."
Jenkins takes comfort in the fact that perhaps in some meaningful way, he continues to make a contribution. "I've been a part of this team through the good and the bad, and I've enjoyed that," he said. "At the end of the day, you do your best. Maybe it was something in training camp that helped out and inspired someone. I've had to put my ego aside, because as a veteran, we take pride in coaching the younger guys to prepare for this. It's passing the torch. No matter how big or strong you are, you can't beat the clock."
