The self-proclaimed best cornerback in the the league, Dee Milliner, left Jets practice on Sunday with an ankle injury. The Alabama product who is in his second year in the NFL suffered a high ankle sprain, reports ESPN New York, which could result in him missing the Jets regular-season opener against the Raiders on September 7.
A few weeks ago in an interview with the Daily News, Milliner refused to admit that anyone else was better at doing what he does, playing cornerback. "Don't care if they've been in the league 10 years and I've been here five months," said Milliner. "That's how it's going to go. I'm the best."
Milliner, who was benched on three occasions last season for poor play, is expected to play a big role in the Jets defense this year after the team did not resign Antonio Cromartie during the off-season.
As if losing their top corner was not bad enough, their third round pick this year, Dexter McDougle, who was expected to get playing time at corner, was lost for the season after tearing his ACL.
According to Daily News Milliner rolled his ankle after trying to make a play on a deep pass from Geno Smith to rookie wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.
"Adversity to some comes opportunity for others," said head coach Rex Ryan. "We'll be able to play defense. We have a lot of good football players. So we'll be fine."
While Ryan is trying to downplay the two injuries, he has to be concerned. Ryan likes to play an aggressive style of defense, bringing a multitude of different blitzes for opposing quarterbacks to deal with. However, those blitzes often mean that cornerbacks are in single coverage, which was no problem when the Jets had the likes of Cromartie and Darrelle Revis. Ryan may have to tone down on his blitzes if Milliner, their best corner, is out for the opener against the Raiders. Though, the ever stubborn Ryan will reluctant to do so.