Transcript of head coach Rex Ryan's midday conference call with reporters following the Jets' Saturday morning practice at the Atlantic Health Training Center:
First off, with the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with all the people impacted by that tragedy. But I just wanted to say that, and that all of our thoughts and prayers go out to all those people there. Just a horrific deal that happened there.
As far as the Jets are concerned, our injury status, all four of these players did not practice today, all four will be listed as doubtful: Dustin Keller with his ankle, Stephen Hill, knee, Aaron Berry, hamstring, Bryan Thomas, chest. All will be doubtful for the game, all did not practice today.
These three players were limited in practice today and they're questionable for the game: Sione Po'uha with a low back, Braylon Edwards, hamstring, Clyde Gates, concussion. The rest of the players, everybody practiced full and all will be probable for the game: Kenrick Ellis, knee, Mark Sanchez, low back, Matt Slauson, knee, Jeff Cumberland, wrist, Calvin Pace, shoulder, Nick Mangold, shoulder, Bart Scott, toe, Brandon Moore, hip, Joe McKnight, ankle, Tim Tebow, ribs, Damon Harrison, ankle, Ricky Sapp, ankle, LaRon Landry, heel, Bilal Powell, shoulder/toe.
On if his thoughts on Edwards playing on Monday has changed…
No, it hasn't. I remain optimistic about Monday night. How much he'll play, we'll see, but I'm optimistic he'll be ready for Monday night.
On how much Edwards can play on Monday since he's been limited in practice…
I'm not real sure yet. We're not going to put specific play numbers on him or whatever. We'll just see how he progresses. Right now I feel like he's getting better each day. So again, I think Monday night he'll definitely get to play. We'll see how much. That's kind of how I feel about it. I believe he will play.
On how much Edwards' familiarity with Sanchez and his ability to run-block impacted the decision to bring him back…
Well, it really is a brand new system for Braylon. But you are exactly right, he is familiar with Mark, there is no question about it. He definitely brings back that mentality as a blocker and everything else that we certainly appreciate. Really, it's just the overall thing that we've been kind of banged up at the receiver spot. We were very familiar with Braylon and his attributes that he brings to the table. He's a smart guy and obviously very competitive. I absolutely do love the way he blocks. So you consider all those things when you bring a guy in.
On any update on Tebow's status…
I don't know. I feel good about him. I think he practiced well again today, so he looks good and he'll be ready to go on Monday.
On if he would prefer the same run/pass ratio the team had against Jacksonville…
Again, you never put a number on how many plays you're going to run or whatever. It's just that in that particular game we thought that was our best way to get a win was to run the football, and some other factors played into it. But like I said, I prefer to run the football, but that doesn't mean we can't throw it. So I'm not going to place a number on it. Our thing is we're just trying to win the game and if that means we have to throw it 40 times, then so be it. But I'm confident we'll be able to throw the football, I'm confident we'll be able to run it.
On if Gates will play Monday since he was limited in practice today…
I'm not real sure. I believe he's got another test that he has to go through and complete today. But the fact that he was out there in a limited role was encouraging. It looks like he's running well and so that's encouraging. Obviously, you'd like to have him up with the kind of speed and athleticism he has, but we'll see. He has one more test before the next step.
