Rex Ryan keeping spot in Super Bowl open for Darrelle Revis

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jets coach Rex Ryan took a vow of humility before this season began and decided to refrain from any Super Bowl predictions. But after losing his best player when cornerback Darrelle Revis suffered a torn left ACL last Sunday, Ryan broke that vow in an effort to sustain his team's hopes for a successful season as the Jets prepare to meet San Francisco on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Ryan said Friday that he will postpone a decision to place Revis on injured reserve in the event he recovers in time to play in Super Bowl XLVII Feb. 3 in New Orleans. No date has been scheduled for surgery while the swelling subsides and Revis strengthens the knee, but Ryan said it likely will take place within two weeks.

"Let's see what happens when he goes through surgery," Ryan said of the IR decision. "If there's that 0.0002 percent chance that he could play in a Super Bowl, why would you take that option away from him?

"Obviously, we're not going to put him out there if he's at risk, but . . . my thought is that, if you're fortunate enough to make it to that big game and he's fortunate enough to be healthy, I know our fans would want him playing just like I would want him playing."

Ryan's best-case scenario is far-fetched, but it's not without precedent. Pittsburgh cornerback Rod Woodson tore up a knee in the 1995 opener, had reconstructive surgery and returned 19 weeks later to play against Dallas in Super Bowl XXX. Super Bowl XLVII is just over 18 weeks away, but Ryan is willing to go with a 52-man roster until a more definitive post-surgery prognosis is made.

Teams are allowed to designate one player on injured reserve as eligible to return the same season, but the Jets plan to wait to preserve their flexibility.

"I don't think we need to rush into this decision right now," Ryan said. "I know our trainers are confident Darrelle is going to come back from this injury. They think he's going to be 100 percent. When that is, I'm not sure. Being Jet fans and being in this organization, you feel great about that."

Notes & quotes: Ryan had zero problem with Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie's recent boast that in Revis' absence, he's the NFL's No. 1 corner. "Now he's got to go out and prove it," Ryan said, "but I absolutely love it." . . . TE Dustin Keller (hamstring) was listed as questionable but practiced on a limited basis and appears likely to play along with LB Bryan Thomas (hamstring), WR Patrick Turner (hamstring), FB John Conner (knee) and LB Bart Scott (toe), all of whom also are questionable . . . Starting WR Stephen Hill (hamstring) is doubtful, and Ryan said, "I don't anticipate him playing."