Just two weeks into the season, the Jets have already seen a pair of key players go on the shelf and head coach Herm Edwards admitted that their potential absence is weighing on his mind.
“Am I concerned? Yeah,” Edwards said yesterday at Hofstra after the Jets improved to 2-0 following their 34-28 win in San Diego on Sunday.
During the victory, though, Edwards saw center Kevin Mawae (fractured hand) and linebacker Sam Cowart (sprained left knee) go down with injuries.
“You’re talking about two starters after two games in the year,” Edwards said. “You have to have some guys step in and play.”
Because of this week’s early-season bye, Edwards is hopeful that neither will miss any playing time. Still, he is preparing for the possibility that he could be forced to go without them a week from next Sunday when the Jets return to action and face the Dolphins.
Mawae broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand during the third quarter on Sunday and couldn’t continue because of the swelling, but Edwards wouldn’t rule out his return against Miami.
“I think Kevin is going to play,” Edwards said. “That’s just my gut feeling.”
Cowart, who suffered a sprained left knee, was set to undergo an MRI yesterday and his status was day-to-day. Defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson was optimistic about Cowart’s prognosis.
“Sam’s coming back,” Henderson said. “I’m not going to allow him to be hurt.”
Henderson did, however, acknowledge the reality that his powers of persuasion would not be enough to get Cowart back on the field and praised rookie LB Jonathan Vilma and his ability to fill in.
“Vilma’s ready to play,” Henderson said.
Edwards echoed his coordinator’s thoughts.
“[Vilma] did OK,” Edwards said. “He did a good job. He’s been in there enough.”
Mawae’s injury, though, could have a severe impact on the offense that has supplied a healthy 65 points in the opening two weeks. The Pro Bowler is one of the main reasons why the Jets have had such a prolific start.
“He’s a very, very special player,” Edwards said. “A center like that comes along every once in awhile. He’s playing wonderfully and the whole offensive line is playing with a lot of confidence.”
That attitude would be tested if Mawae was sidelined.
“When you lose a good player, it’s like losing a quarterback,” Edwards said. “But you’ve got to keep going. They don’t cancel the games.”
Edwards said he would decide what to do with the line once he determined how serious Mawae’s injury is.
“The big deal is whether it’s long-term or short term,” Edwards said, indicating that if Mawae were to miss a limited amount of time that Jonathan Goodwin would remain at the position, as he did on Sunday. If Mawae was out for an extended period, Edwards entertained the idea of moving guard Pete Kendall to center, where he has played before.
“[Mawae] makes a lot of calls and you can run plays you can’t with someone else in there,” said Edwards, who hopes a quick recovery will help determine what he will do. “It all depends on Kevin. I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision this week.”
