Nose tackle Sione Po'uha, running back Bilal Powell, safety Eric Smith and nose tackle Kenrick Ellis -- all of whom were listed as doubtful on the injury report -- won't play Sunday against the Patriots, the Jets announced Saturday.
As expected, none of the players accompanied the team on the trip to New England.
Running back Joe McKnight, listed as questionable with a high ankle sprain even though he didn't practice all week, made the trip. He will be a game-time decision. Po'uha, battling a significant back issue, was limited in practice Friday, fueling hope that he could return next week against the Dolphins.
So what does this all mean? The Jets are down to two healthy running backs, Shonn Greene and rookie Jonathan Grimes, who has no NFL experience. With McKnight iffy, Rex Ryan floated the idea of using Tim Tebow as a traditional running back, although that seems a remote possibility. Powell (dislocated shoulder) isn't expected to play for a few weeks.
With Po'uha and Ellis (sprained knee) out, the Jets will play for the second straight week without an experienced nose tackle. Chances are, they will employ a committee approach, with recently-signed Daniel Muir seeing some time on the nose.
Without Smith (sprained knee) for the second straight week, they will use rookies Antonio Allen and Josh Bush as their backup safeties.
