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Morris County – The mystery of Mo and Bilal . . .
Watching the media part of Jets practice today, I’m was thinking Mo Wilkerson and Bilal Powell are both definitely out for Sunday’s Patriots-Jets game.
They were both on the sideline not participating in the practice in any way.
But then a couple of hours later, the Jets’ final injury report came out, and both players were listed as “questionable.”
At first, I was really surprised at this listing. I think all the reporters where. But after thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized what was going on here.
This is a case of gamesmanship with New England.
Seemingly every week on the Patriots’ injury report, almost all the players are listed as “questionable,” the most vague, confusing category. It means there is a 50-50 chance the guy plays.
I go over the entire NFL injury report with a fine-tooth comb every Friday to prepare for my SiriusXM NFL Radio Show. And when I get to the Patriots report, I just skip over it. It’s a total waste of time.
It’s always loaded with “questionable” player who are also listed as “limited” in practice.
There are three categories for practice participation – “full, limited and didn’t practice.”
When you see a guy practice “full” on Friday, he’s playing (unless he’s a healthy scratch).
When you see “limited” it’s up in the air.
There are three categories you can list players on Friday – “out, doubtful and questionable”
The NFL got rid of the “probable” category last year, and I think one reason they did this was because of the Patriots. They almost never used it.
When you used to list a player as “probable” he was going to play, once again unless he was a healthy scratch. “Probable” was a wink-wink from teams that a guy was going to play.
So think about what the Patriots do here.
They list most of their players in the two categories that create the most mystery and confusion – “questionable” and “limited practice.”
Once again, every time I look at their report, I have no idea who is playing. Mission accomplished.
So to me, the Jets decided today they were going to play the same game.
I would be absolutely shocked if Wilkerson or Powell played.
Wilkerson has two injuries – a turf toe and bum shoulder. Powell has a calf injury suffered last Sunday in Cleveland, and calf maladies are almost never a one-week deal.
I think the Jets handling of their injury report was them saying, “Two can play this game.”
By the way, speaking of the injury report, I had mentioned that the Jets release of Marcus Williams was risky because cornerbacks Daryl Roberts and Juston Burris are both hurt. But neither players was listed on the injury report, so they both seem good to go.
And I get the sense the Jets are close to promoting CB Xavier Coleman from their practice squad.
They should have player of corners on board for Sunday.
October 13, 2017
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