National Football League

DT Jenkins hurts left knee, status uncertain

Published Sep. 14, 2010 5:31 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Jets are hoping they won't be without their big man in the middle again.

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins injured his left knee - the same one he hurt last season - in the first quarter of the Jets' 10-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. He didn't return to the game.

''I have no idea what the extent of the injury is,'' coach Rex Ryan said. ''I'm hopeful that it's not serious, but clearly it was serious enough for him to not return to the game. We're definitely hoping that he's going to be OK.''

Jenkins was caught in a pileup on a tackle of Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain and immediately clutched his left knee. He remained on the turf for a few minutes, then got up and limped to the sideline.

''Hopefully we'll hear some good news (Tuesday),'' Ryan said.

The 10-year veteran tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee midway through last season and worked hard to get back on the field. Monday night's game against Baltimore was his first in the regular season since that injury.

''Obviously, we're alarmed by it, disappointed,'' linebacker Jason Taylor said. ''We don't know the nature of it. This team is a very close team, and anytime a player goes down, you feel for him but you realize you need to move on and the next person needs to step up. Those are big shoes to fill.''

The Jets are used to having to fill Jenkins' shoes after he went down against Buffalo last October. Sione Pouha stepped in and was solid in Jenkins' place, but Ryan was excited about having the big nose tackle back to anchor his defensive line.

Jenkins used the time rehabilitating to examine his priorities and even contemplated retirement. But, Jenkins rediscovered his love for football,and won a weight-loss competition among himself, Ryan and right tackle Damien Woody. He was eased back into the lineup in the preseason, and said he felt 100 percent entering the regular season.

Jenkins, who's in his third season with the Jets, also tore the ACL in his right knee in 2005 while with Carolina.