National Football League

Jets' Folk (hip) sits out, but remains optimistic

Published Dec. 3, 2014 5:08 p.m. ET

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Nick Folk hopes to be back kicking field goals for the New York Jets this weekend.

Folk did not practice Wednesday because of a hip flexor injury, but is optimistic he'll be ready to go against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

''I want to help these guys win games,'' Folk said. ''I feel pretty poorly about what happened the other day, so I want to go out and hopefully get the team get a win.

Folk missed two field goals in the Jets' 16-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, a 48-yarder in the second quarter and a 45-yarder in the fourth that would have put the Jets ahead. He felt tightness in his right hip while warming up on the sideline and kicking into the net during the third quarter - right before he made a 45-yarder that hit the back of the crossbar and over.

''It tightened up a little bit on me and didn't feel right going into those two kicks,'' Folk said. ''But no excuses.''

Folk said he has never had this type of injury, although he had surgery in 2009 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip while he was with the Dallas Cowboys.

While Folk didn't kick Wednesday, coach Rex Ryan shared his kicker's optimism.

''We're encouraged,'' Ryan said. ''We're hoping that he'll be fine.''

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is out of a walking boot while dealing with turf toe, but has no timetable for a return. He missed the game against the Dolphins after being hurt against Buffalo the previous week.

Wilkerson said the toe is ''feeling a little better,'' but hasn't done anything to test it just yet.

''Of course, I'm going to play whenever I feel like I can play,'' he said. ''If I feel like I can't go, then I'm not going to play. It's a matter of being comfortable and playing. If I don't feel comfortable, then I'm not going to play. Whenever I feel comfortable to play, I'll play.''

Wide receiver Greg Salas has what Ryan called a ''significant hamstring injury,'' so it appears he will be out against the Vikings. Salas left the game right after he scored on a 20-yard end-around reverse in the first quarter against Miami for his first NFL touchdown.

Tight end Jace Amaro did not practice because of a concussion. He is still going through the NFL's protocol for head injuries.

''At this time of the week, I would say that it doesn't look very good right now if he's not able to get out here a little bit,'' Ryan said.

Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, tight end Jeff Cumberland and cornerback Josh Thomas were out with illnesses.

''Doesn't seem severe with anybody,'' Ryan said, ''so they should be back hopefully sooner rather than later.''

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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