FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — On Saturday night while addressing the Jets, former Jets defensive end Dennis Byrd not only moved the players with his impassioned words, he did it with a visual prop that will never be forgotten by those in attendance.

Byrd, whose career was cut short in 1992 by a frightening neck injury that left him paralyzed for weeks and still has him with an unsteady gait, stood before the Jets with his actual No. 90 Jets jersey that had to be cut off his paralyzed body after the accident.

“I sent the jersey (to the Jets) on Wednesday with the understanding this is something I would like to share with you,’’ Byrd told the team. “The jersey was sent for coach Ryan. I love to watch him as a coach. He understands the significance of these kinds of things.’’

Byrd described his talk to the team as “not about Xs and Os.’’

“It was about what I like to say or call those nuances of the game, because besides the Xs and Os and blocking and tackling and all those things, but there is a side where a man’s will counts for a tremendous amount, and that’s what we talked about and I shared with the team,’’ he said. “You have a body, a mind and a will. What we talked about was the will.”

Byrd, who’s lived a rather reclusive life back home in Oklahoma and has had little to do with his former team in any visits or alumni activity, said he called Jets scout Brock Sunderland, the son of longtime Jets scout Marv Sunderland, and told him he wanted to send the jersey to the team to help inspire them.

Sunderland spoke with Ryan, who invited Byrd to speak to the team. The Byrd jersey hung in the Jets locker room at Gillette Stadium.

“This means a lot to me right now,’’ Byrd said. “It will mean a lot more to me in a few hours (after the game). This is that moment, and it’s that moment for them to put that stamp on who they’re supposed to be, and who everybody thought they could be. This is that time.

“There comes these moments you have to rise to the challenge, this is the present game, this is the one that counts the most. They’ll get it done and I’m excited about it.’’

After having watched this Jets team from afar and having spoken to the team Saturday night, Byrd said, “This is the first time in my life that I’ve been around a group of guys and coaches and an organization that has the genuine ability to win a world championship. I wanted them to understand how important this moment is. This is the moment. It’s not the future, it’s now.”

Byrd, an Oklahoma native, shares a bond with Ryan, who spent a part of his life in Oklahoma while in college and early in his coaching career.

“I was thrilled to see when coach Ryan was hired as the coach,’’ Byrd said. “His attitude, his pedigree, the way he coaches, how aggressive they are, I didn’t know how many games the Jets were going to win, but they weren’t going to lose any fights.

(Jets green) are the only colors I’ve ever worn, and while I live a quiet life, I do have a television and have followed every game, all the players, it’s been a joy to watch.’’

Asked if this might be the start of him having more active involvement with Jets, Byrd said, “I have no idea what is going on. I am so humbled by the reception I’ve had. This is the joy. I sure would like to be, yes.’’

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The Jets revealed before the game that Brad Smith, their extraordinary kick returner and lynchpin to the wildcat offensive formation, is out for the game with his groin injury. That would mean CB Antonio Cromartie and perhaps rookie RB Joe McKnight would return kicks.

The Jets other inactives included rookie FB John Connor for the first time this season, likely to make room for rookie CB Isaiah Trufant as an added DB with the status of Drew Coleman (knee) iffy. DE Vernon Gholston was inactive for the second consecutive game, hardly boding well for his future with the team. TEs Matt Mulligan and Jeff Cumberland, along with DLs Marcus Dixon and Jarron Gilbert and QB Kellen Clemens were also inactive.

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The Patriots inactives included DL Myron Pryor, RBs Fred Taylor and Thomas Clayon, CB Tony Carter, LB Marques Murrell, OLs Rich Ohrnberger and Mark LeVoir and WR Taylor Price.