The New York Jets may have dug themselves into too deep a hole in their quest to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year since Rex Ryan was named head coach. Two losing streaks of three games will do that to you in the National Football League. But at 6-5 and just one game behind the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, there's more than enough reason to remain optimistic if you're a Jets fan, particularly when you consider that they are entering the final five games of the season in fairly good shape injury-wise for this stage of the long, grueling 16-game regular season.
Defensive lineman Mike DeVito, who has a torn MCL, was the only member of the New York Jets to miss practice on Thursday. Offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse was the only Jet to be limited as well. To round out the good news for Jets fans hoping to see their team at full strength for the stretch run, running back LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) participated fully in practice for the second straight day, as well as running back Shonn Greene (ribs), defensive lineman Marcus Dixon (shoulder), wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (knee), offensive lineman Nick Mangold (ankle), linebacker Calvin Pace (groin), safety Brodney Pool (knee) and offensive lineman Matt Slauson (knee).
For more on the Jets leading up to Washington's home tilt with Rex Ryan's gang on Sunday, visit Gang Green Nation.