National Football League

Jets' Kerley improving, but doubtful vs. Ravens

Published Nov. 22, 2013 10:01 p.m. ET

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Jeremy Kerley has watched the video of his gruesome injury over and over.

The New York Jets wide receiver's left elbow went in a direction, well, it's not supposed to go when it was rolled into by New Orleans Saints linebacker David Hawthorne on Nov. 3.

''I've seen it, and I love watching it,'' Kerley said.

Wait. He loves seeing his left elbow get dislocated?

''I mean, it happened to me, so I watch it all the time,'' he said in his first comments since being injured. ''It's something I don't want to ever happen again. It was the worst pain I've ever felt.''

Kerley is doubtful to play against the Ravens at Baltimore on Sunday, which means he'll be sitting out. Kerley was limited in practice Friday, as he has been all week, while wearing a red no-contact jersey and catching passes in receiver drills with his right hand. He has also been wearing a brace over his left elbow.

''It's kind of hard to say where he is, but the young man, to his credit, he wants to be out there in the worst way,'' coach Rex Ryan said. ''He's showing it during the week, he's practicing. But again, we'll see how it goes. He's already way further along than I think what people were assuming.''

That's because when you watch the video of the play, it's not difficult to think it would be a season-ending type of injury. Kerley had been blocking when he ended up sitting on the ground after a running play in the second quarter, with his arms behind him. Hawthorne hit into Kerley's left arm, which rolled awkwardly under the linebacker's shoulder.

Kerley immediately grabbed at his arm, was checked by trainers on the sideline and then headed to the locker room.

''It was ugly, there's no question,'' Ryan said. ''I don't know how else to describe it, but like a horrific-looking injury. There haven't been a whole lot of receivers that have had this injury, like three in the last 10 years or something.''

Kerley said that Hawthorne, a former teammate at TCU, was ''broken up about it a little bit'' for injuring him, but later assured his friend it was ''just a freak accident.''

The receiver, who leads the team with 28 receptions, expected the worst, though, as soon as the pain shot up his arm.

''I thought it was broken or something, but it's a slight dislocation,'' he said. ''Nothing major. Definitely going to recover from it and definitely looking forward to jumping back on the field.''

He added that he would be able to play with a brace on the elbow if and when he's cleared. But he'll have to wait at least another week for that. Greg Salas will likely again help fill Kerley's role as a slot-type receiver.

''It's not 100 (percent), but it's all right, though,'' Kerley said. ''It's a lot better than it was two weeks ago. The arm's getting stronger, so I'm feeling more confident in it.''

Linebacker Garrett McIntyre (knee) is also doubtful and will not play. Newly signed Jermaine Cunningham, a second-round pick of New England in 2010, could see some snaps at McIntyre's spot at backup outside linebacker.

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes (hamstring) and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee) were limited at practice, but listed as probable and are expected to play at Baltimore.

NOTES: RB Mike Goodson posted a picture of QB Mark Sanchez wearing his hair in cornrows that went viral on Twitter and elsewhere on the Internet - on the one-year anniversary of the infamous ''Butt Fumble'' against the Patriots. Sanchez also posted a photo on Instagram saying the new hairstyle was a result of losing a bet and hanging out at teammate ''Willie Colon's house too long.'' ... Ryan said he is encouraged by struggling rookie QB Geno Smith's performance at practice this week. ''No. 1, he's been throwing the ball with great accuracy during the week,'' Ryan said. ''If it's not there, he's been taking off with it, so I think that's good also. He sees certain coverages and knows that he can make some plays with his legs as well.'' Smith has one TD and eight INTs in his last five games.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

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