Receiver Stephen Hill hopes to be cleared to play Monday vs. Falcons
Stephen Hill runs for a third-quarter touchdown at MetLife Stadium. (Sept. 9, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- He hasn't been medically cleared for takeoff yet, but five days after suffering a concussion on a helmet-to-chin shot from Tennessee safety Michael Griffin, Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill returned to practice and said he hopes to play Monday night in Atlanta.
"I'm feeling good," Hill said Friday. "Just ready to play . . . Just making sure I go through NFL protocol and do the right things to get back on the field."
Hill said he has been attending positional meetings since Wednesday, when what he described as "light headaches" finally dissipated. "I am ready to play any time they give me a heads-up," he said.
The Jets certainly can use their deep threat, especially given that the starting wideout on the other side, Santonio Holmes, is unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury suffered at Tennessee. They picked up veteran David Nelson on Tuesday to supplement backups Jeremy Kerley, Clyde Gates and Ryan Spadola.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinwegsaid the fact Hill is coming off a concussion might factor into how he is used if he is cleared to play. But he also expressed pleasure at how well the 6-5 Nelson, in Buffalo for three seasons, is picking up the offense.
"He's a big guy; he's got great hands," Mornhinweg said. "He's very bright. I'm very happy with David. He may be in there an awful lot on Monday night. He's functioning pretty well right now."
The Jets got other good news on the injury front when running back Chris Ivory (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis. Running back Mike Goodson, who was suspended for the first four games, also might find a role.
But the upheaval in personnel combined with breaking in rookie quarterback Geno Smith has Mornhinweg still searching for his unit's identity.
"I don't quite know where we are because we have a quarterback [on] a learning curve," Mornhinweg said. "And he is learning an awful lot. There's some things that we're still building our identity."
So far, part of the Jets' offensive identity has been poor turnover margin, penalties and excessive sacks. Mornhinweg identified those three areas of concern and confronted his players with the harsh evidence of their mistakes after the drubbing by the Titans.
"We had a little put-it-on-the-table meeting," Mornhinweg said. "We just put every turnover from the whole season, every penalty from the whole season, every sack from the whole season right on the film. I did put the turnover ratio [minus-10] on there. We're fortunate to be where we're at record-wise [2-2] with that situation."
Notes & quotes: The Jets claimed former Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld and released linebacker Scott Solomon to make room.. . . Asked if the quarterback competition is ongoing with backup Matt Simms, coach Rex Ryan said: "No, Geno's the quarterback. There is no competition. He's the quarterback this week." . . . Falcons running back Steven Jackson (hamstring) did not practice.
