Jets' Darrelle Revis downgraded to out for game vs. Giants
The New York Jets are taking on Odell Beckham Jr. without Darrelle Revis.
Coach Todd Bowles announced Friday that the star cornerback is officially listed as out for the game Sunday because of a concussion.
Revis attended meetings Friday for the first time since being injured at Houston on Nov. 22 before being sent home for the day. He has not practiced or played since suffering the concussion and has continued the NFL's protocol for head injuries.
"He sat in on meetings," Bowles said. "It's a step forward. I don't know how much, but it is a step forward."
Marcus Williams, Revis' backup, is doubtful with a sprained left knee that he said is getting better by the day.
Bowles had said Thursday that Williams would likely be a game-time decision, and the cornerback said he's still approaching his status as such. But Bowles was "skeptical" Friday that the cornerback will be able to play.
The Jets could use a combination of Buster Skrine, Darrin Walls, Dexter McDougle and Dee Milliner in Revis' spot. Antonio Cromartie could draw the assignment of covering Beckham, although Bowles wouldn't give away the team's game plan.
"If Marcus can't go, they're interchangeable," Bowles said of the other defensive backs. "We practice everybody there, anyway."
Revis' availability for next week's game against Tennessee also remains uncertain.
"It all depends on how he's coming along," Bowles said. "Hopefully, he feels better next week, but it's too early to tell."
Williams was injured last Sunday against Miami on an interception return in the first quarter after starting in Revis' place. He has a team-leading five INTs as a versatile backup who has started at both safety and cornerback this season.
The challenge for Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers will be drawing up a game plan to defend the playmaking Beckham, who has 72 catches for 1,005 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
"He's a challenge even if we had them," Bowles said of not having Revis and likely not Williams. "Great players like that always challenge you game plan-wise. Luckily for our guys that back up, we're fortunate that all those guys have played in games."
Skrine, the Jets' primary nickel corner, has started 42 games during his five-year career and has 44 total tackles this season. Walls has had limited action on defense this year while working mainly on special teams, but started 12 games last season for the Jets.
McDougle missed his rookie season last year with a knee injury, but has played in every game this season except the opener. Milliner, the team's top pick in 2013, is still working his way back into the lineup after starting the season on short-term injured reserve because of a wrist injury.
"They're not coming in raw," Bowles said of the group. "They have some experience. We're just asking them to not do too much, just do their job."
From what linebacker Calvin Pace has seen on film, the Giants move Beckham around the field throughout the game.
"You can't really key on him," Pace said. "It's going to take a full effort, different guys on him, getting hands on him, just make it a tough day for him."
Pace compared Beckham to Houston star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is third in the NFL with 81 catches -- five of them coming against the Jets two weeks ago.
"A guy who can make a lot of acrobatic catches, fast," Pace said of Beckham. "It's just a situation where we have to do a good job up front of getting to Eli. The back-end guys have got to keep (Beckham) in front of them, and don't allow him to get any big plays."
The Jets acknowledge that defending Beckham is a tough task, but insisted that the Giants' offense is much more than just him and quarterback Eli Manning.
Rueben Randle has 40 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns, Dwayne Harris has 27 receptions for 332 yards and four TDs and running back Shane Vereen has 40 catches for 342 yards and three scores.
"I think they have a great receiving corps in general," Walls said. "All their guys are capable guys. We have a challenge at hand with not just (Beckham), but all their guys. It'll be a good matchup."
NOTES: Pace was limited at practice and is questionable with a strained abdomen, while S Dion Bailey is doubtful with a sprained ankle. Bailey has missed the last three games. ... Bowles on Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who's looking for his first sack after missing the first eight games while recovering from a July 4 accident that seriously damaged his right hand: "Just looking at him on film, he's getting off the ball, like he always has," the Jets coach said. "I'm sure he himself would like to tweak some things, but he's just as dangerous to us as he's always been."
