Mangold optimistic about returning Sunday

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Even though he didn't practice Wednesday, Nick Mangold is optimistic he'll be able to play when the Jets square off against the Ravens at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday night.

"Very much," said Mangold, who had his 82-game regular-season streak snapped when he missed last Sunday's loss in Oakland. "It's moving along nicely."

Mangold, who has shed his walking boot, spent practice doing strictly individual work on the side along with cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who's nursing a bruised lung and ribs. Mangold said his regimen remains a day-to-day thing, and his right ankle seems to be responding "well."

Rex Ryan said he didn't anticipate Mangold practicing Thursday, but if he did, it likely would be in a limited capacity. Mangold wasn't able to successfully lobby to play this past week, but thinks it may be a bit easier to do so this week if need be.

"I think this week is better than last week, definitely," he said. "Hopefully we don't need to convince them and we can do it."

As for Cromartie, Ryan didn't seem too sure about the cornerback's status.

"I'm hopeful that both will play," Ryan said of Cromartie and Mangold. "I would think Cro's probably ahead of Nick, but I'm hopeful both would play. I'm not real sure though."

Maybin re-signed

Aaron Maybin, the former Bills first-round pick who's trying to shed the bust label, was signed Wednesday and added to the Jets' 53-man roster. The linebacker initially was signed by the Jets on Aug. 13 but was let go on Sept. 4 because the Jets needed a roster spot because of their offensive line depth woes. "While it was difficult for me and it was frustrating -- I'd be lying if I said it wasn't frustrating -- I still understood that the team came first, and that was what they felt was best for them at that point in time," Maybin said.