JET NOTES

Injuries continue to rock the Jets.

Bryan Cox sat out the Jets’ practice yesterday at Hofstra with back spasms. Coach Al Groh said that he had planned to give the 32-year old linebacker the day off, anyway.

Also missing practice due to injuries were DE Eric Ogbogu with a subluxing shoulder, and DB Ray Mickens, who will be out for at least another week with a pulled right hamstring.

In addition, rookie WR Laveranues Coles was noticeably limping during practice.

WR Windrell Hayes also missed practice as he was in Los Angeles visiting his mother, who is ill.

There was some good news for the Jets as DB Victor Green (bruised knee), RB Bernie Parmalee (sprained foot) and TE Fred Baxter (strained quadriceps) practiced. Baxter’s activity, however, was limited.

Though he’s openly discussed injuries with the media so far, Groh said he won’t be so forthcoming in the future.

“You’ll probably find me over a period of time to be less than effusive when talking about injuries,” Groh said. “When you’re talking about them too much, then you give a team and give individual players a built-in excuse.”

Groh said he was influenced by sailing star Dennis Conner’s book, “No Excuses for Losing.”

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With the rain, the Jets held their lone practice in their bubble facility. Plays of the day included Vinny Testaverde’s touchdown pass to Wayne Chrebet, and Ray Lucas’ pass to Jerald Sowell for a TD.

Testaverde, coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, appeared mobile as he ran out of the pocket on a few occasions.

Groh raved about second-year guard Randy Thomas, who started as a rookie.

“He has a chance to separate himself from a lot of the linemen in this league,” he said.