Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson off to hot start
Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets runs onto the field with teammates before a game against Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 4, 2015 in London. Credit: Getty Images / Bryn Lennon
"Mo-tron.''
"Wilk-shake.''
"Broadway Mo.''
Refer to Muhammad Wilkerson any way you like. Just make sure you game-plan for him. The Jets defensive end is off to a hot start, registering seven sacks for a unit ranked No. 4 overall.
"I just go out and do my job and play hard,'' Wilkerson said with a smile Tuesday night during a break from serving Thanksgiving turkeys and pies to residents of his hometown. His third annual "Thanksgiving SACKS'' event served food to 200 families.
The injured toe that forced him to miss three games last season still bothers him, he said. But it doesn't appear to slow him in games. So is this the best he's played in his career?
"The season's not up yet,'' Wilkerson said, smiling again. "I'm hoping I finish healthy and go from there.''
His teammates have come to expect this type of production from him.
"He's been making plays since I've been in the league. Nothing's changed,'' said tackle Sheldon Richardson, the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year. "If you leave him unblocked, he's going to cause havoc. I'm used to it. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. He's the guy. He's the guy right now.''
One thing that does surprise them is that Wilkerson is still waiting for the long-term contract extension he's been seeking since last year. The 2011 first-round pick is making $6.969 million this season.
Wilkerson's play is proving he's worth big money, nose tackle Damon Harrison said. "You can't say enough about the guy,'' he said. "The numbers speak for themselves and [everything] he does doesn't show up in the stat sheet.
"You would like to see a guy like that get what he deserves. He's not rushing, he's not worried about it. He'll get it in due time.''
Twice, Wilkerson chased down the quick Tyrod Taylor in Thursday night's loss to Buffalo and twice sacked him. "Pretty nimble,'' said Harrison, who later called Wilkerson "the dancing bear.''
Harrison rattled off more nicknames for Wilkerson before settling on his favorite. "You like, 'In Mo We Trust'?'' he asked reporters. "I like it, too.''
Texans' Hoyer ailing. Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer's status is in question for Sunday against the Jets because of a concussion he suffered in Monday's win over the Bengals. Bill O'Brien said Hoyer was in the NFL's concussion protocol and characterized him as "day to day.'' If he can't play, T.J. Yates will start. -- AP
