Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was questionable heading into Monday’s game with the Colts. After Wilkerson did not practice Saturday, there were questions of whether he would play.
Wilkerson did play, and ended up with seven tackles and a quarterback hit. After the game, Wilkerson said the ankle injury that has been bothering him following offseason surgery is feeling better.
“I felt really good,” Wilkerson said. “I really feel like I’m starting to get back to myself and the way I usually play. That really doesn’t matter. It’s about the team and going out there and producing and winning games. We’ve got to do that next week definitely.”
Wilkerson stopped short of questioning his teammates’ effort in the 41-10 loss to the Colts, but he said something has to change.
“Guys gotta play harder,” Wilkerson said. “We’re not going to start pointing the finger. We played like s–t.”
The Jets just managed one sack, which came from Leonard Williams, despite the Colts being the second most-sacked team in the NFL entering the game.
“It’s a credit to those guys,” Wilkerson said. “They made plays. At times we got there but we were about a step late. He was getting the ball out. At the end of the day, Luck’s a good player. Everybody around the league knows that.”
Center Nick Mangold returned to the lineup after missing four games with a sprained ankle, but he may be heading right back to the sideline. Jets coach Todd Bowles said Mangold reinjured his ankle in the game.
Linebacker Julian Stanford also suffered an ankle injury. Safety Antonio Allen left the game with a concussion.
The Jets’ inactive players were: WR Devin Smith, QB Christian Hackenberg, S Calvin Pryor, OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, NT Steve McLendon, OL Dakota Dozier and WR Jalin Marshall.