In Friday's press conference, head coach Todd Bowles ruled out ILB Darron Lee (ankle), RT Brent Qvale (neck), TEs Braedon Bowman (knee) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Ravens. C Nick Mangold (knee), LT Ryan Clady (shoulder) and DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) are listed as questionable.
"I'm hopeful," Bowles said about Mangold and Clady. "They did some things today and they have another day and a half to heal up so Sunday they should be okay."
He then added it's a real possibility Wilkerson may not suit up against Baltimore.
"He's just sorer than normal, we let him get more treatment today," Bowles said. "So we'll see what he looks like on Sunday. It'll probably go up to the game."
Paving The WayAfter averaging 4.0 yards per carry on 67 rushing attempts in the first three weeks of the season, RB Matt Forte's production has slipped as a result of the Jets playing from behind. In Weeks 4-6, Forté carried the rock 35 times for an average of 2.8 yards. Bowles said there are certain things Forté can improve on, but the head coach's focus is on the offensive line.
"We have to open up some holes for him, it's real simple," Bowles said. "We have to block better, we have to call better plays and we have to execute better."
HomecomingThe Jets return to MetLife Stadium for the second time since the turn of the month. Sunday's contest will mark the third home game of the season and the Green & White are expecting a crowd ready to roar.
"As a team, you have to get the crowd in the game," Bowles said. "Obviously winning and making big plays and doing good things helps that so that's part of it. You have to get the crowd in the game."
WR Brandon Marshall shared similar thoughts about Jets Nation.
"Obviously that's a big part of it. I know we have passionate fans here that really care," Marshall said. "Sometimes they show their displeasure and I'm sure they'll do that if we don't turn it around and they should do that. But we definitely need them on Sunday, we're in it together. We have to understand some of our fans are more invested in our team than we are. They've been around as season ticket holders for 30, 40, 50 years from one generation to the next. But at the end of the day, we want what they want. What they want, we want and we just have to do it together. It's not only the product on the field, but creating that environment is important. We need it to be electric and outstanding. And I'm expecting that Sunday."
Practice Makes PerfectDL Sheldon Richardson expressed his confidence in QB Geno Smith, saying he expects "production" from the four-year veteran. Sunday will be Smith's first start since December 28, 2014, when he threw for 358 yards and a three touchdowns in a win over the Miami Dolphins, earning a perfect passer rating.
"He's been looking real nice in practice, his ball has been on point," Richardson said. "They've been going against each other real hard with wide receivers and DBs, so they cranked it up a notch on that. He's been making pretty good throws when the actual pressure is on the wide receivers these past couple of practices."
