Jets' Nick Folk active after hip flexor
Nick Folk #2 of the New York Jets sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on Nov. 24, 2014 in Detroit. Credit: Getty Images / Leon Halip
Jets kicker Nick Folk, who suffered a hip flexor in Monday night’s game against the Dolphins and missed two field goals in the Jets’ 16-13 loss, is active for Sunday’s game against the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Folk was limited in practice this week but said he didn’t expect to miss the game. Folk looked strong in warmups, attempting field goals as far away as 46 yards in the outdoor stadium.
As expected, rookie tight end Jace Amaro, who suffered a concussion against the Bills in Detroit two weeks ago, is inactive. The Jets last week activated tight end Chris Pantale from the practice squad to take Amaro’s spot on the roster. Jeff Cumberland is the starter and will see the bulk of action in the passing game.
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who is battling a toe problem, will miss his second straight game. Wilkerson is making progress with the injury and may be available for the Jets’ game next week in Tennessee. Quinton Coples replaces Wilkerson at defensive end, and Jason Babin starts at Coples’ normal outside linebacker position.
Matt Simms will serve as the third quarterback, as Geno Smith gets the start. Michael Vick is the backup.
Sunday’s game marks the return of Percy Harvin to face his Vikings’ teammates for the second time since being traded to the Seahawks last season. Harvin, a first-round pick of Minnesota in 2009 (22nd overall), said he will have “no emotion” when facing his former team.
“I don’t think anything stands out other than it’s our next game,” he said during the week. “For me, it’ll be good just to go back out there and see some fans, some of my old teammates.”
It’s also the return of Jets receiver Eric Decker, who starred at the University of Minnesota. Decker played his college games at the stadium where he’ll now face the Vikings.
"Friends, family, everybody's coming to the game," he said. “It's always fun to go somewhere where you know a lot of people and haven't been for a while. So it will be an exciting time for me.”
