RBs Chris Ivory, Joe McKnight among players not traveling
Jets running back Chris Ivory talks with reporters during training camp. (Aug. 2, 2013) Credit: Hans Pennink
DETROIT -- Not surprisingly, Chris Ivory and Joe McKnight didn't make the Motor City trip with the rest of their teammates.
The Jets announced Thursday afternoon that the pair of running backs would not be traveling to Detroit for their preseason opener Friday night against the Lions.
Center Dalton Freeman, fullback Lex Hilliard, wide receiver Santonio Holmes (PUP), linebacker Josh Mauga, wide receiver Titus Ryan and offensive lineman Brian Winters also didn't travel.
McKnight, who was arrested on July 30 for outstanding traffic warrants, has been sidelined by a head injury for several days. Asked about the running back's injury status and whether McKnight has a concussion, Rex Ryan said he hadn't received much information from his head trainer, John Mellody.
"I don’t know if he’s getting tested or what but I know he wasn’t able to practice today," the Jets coach said Wednesday. "I knew that was going to happen, but where specifically he’s at, I’m not sure."
When peppered by questions about his aloof approach to player injuries, Ryan replied: "Guys I don’t want to say he has a concussion. That information has not been relayed to me. So it’s a head injury guys, it’s a head injury. It could be a headache, I don’t know.
"I’m going to lean on our doctors and trainers for that information. If I knew it was a concussion have I always said that it was a concussion in the past? If I don’t know, the man's out, I don’t know if that means he’s had migraines, he’s had what, I don’t know. But when Mellody tells me, 'Hey, Joe is going to be cleared to practice,' then that’s fine. If (Mellody) tells me he has a concussion, I’ll tell you he has a concussion."
