Coles not likely to play vs. Dallas Thursday

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on November 19th, 2007 filed in News, Opinions

While their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday was sweet, it did not come without a price.  New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles suffered a high ankle sprain on the second play of the game when he was tackled by Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor on a 56-yard flea-flicker.  He attempted to return in the third quarter, but pulled up lame when attempting to run a deep route.

With Coles’ latest injury, it basically leaves the Jets without that “go-to” guy, especially on the oh-so-important 3rd-down passing situations.  Which is not a knock on WR’s Jerricho Cotchery or Brad Smith; it is just a fact that when big yardage is needed, the team tends to go to Coles more often than not.  Want proof?  Smith missed a clutch reception in the end zone with 37 seconds left in regulation.  No doubt about it - Coles will be missed this Thursday - but even a healthy Coles probably wouldn’t be enough as the Jets’ opponent on Thanksgiving is the Dallas Cowboys.