National Football League

Jets NT Jenkins leaves with 'severe' knee injury

Published Oct. 19, 2009 2:54 a.m. ET

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New York Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins left the team's 16-13 loss to Buffalo on Sunday with what coach Rex Ryan called a "probably severe" left knee injury. Ryan didn't want to speculate further on the future of Jenkins, one of the team's defensive stars, until he had an MRI exam. Jenkins' leg was heavily wrapped after the game, and he left the stadium on crutches. "We'll know much more about it (Monday)," Ryan said. "Unfortunately, I think it's probably severe. I'm not sure, though." Jenkins tackled Fred Jackson on a 4-yard run with just over 5 minutes left before halftime and went down, grimacing while laying on his back. He ripped off his helmet and stayed on the turf on his back for several minutes as trainers checked on him. Jenkins slowly walked off the field to the sideline, where he was further examined before walking gingerly under his own power to the locker room. Jenkins is in his second season with the Jets, and is considered a centerpiece of Ryan's aggressive defense. "It's a huge blow," defensive end Shaun Ellis said. "That's our guy. Now guys are just going to have to step up. ... Guys are going to have to step up across the board and fill in his shoes, and those are big shoes to fill." Right tackle Damien Woody left midway through the third quarter with an injured right knee, but he said after the game that he'd be fine. "I don't even worry about that type of stuff," he said.