DETROIT — The Jets’ best player, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, has never missed a game in his NFL career, a string of 59 consecutive games over three-plus seasons.
Will Wilkerson run that streak to 60 when the Jets host the Dolphins next Monday night? He said he is not sure.
That’s because he sustained a toe injury in Monday night’s 38-3 loss to the Bills in Detroit, which dropped the Jets to 2-9.
Wilkerson left late in the first half and did not return. His return was initially listed as questionable, and then he was downgraded to out for the remainder of the game.
He declined to comment on how the injury happened, which toe he injured or the nature of the injury. Nor would he say how he felt immediately after the game.
I’ll be all right, he said.
OK enough to play against Miami?
I don’t know, he said.
Wilkerson said that of course he wanted to go back into Monday night’s game.
But, he added, I couldn’t go back.
Jets coach Rex Ryan knows that just because Wilkerson’s injury is to a small body part doesn’t mean it might not be a big deal.
He couldn’t return (to Monday night’s game), Ryan said. He was trying to. Sometimes, those things, it doesn’t sound like much, but they can be serious.
Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
