National Football League

Report: Jets LB Pace likely to miss opener

Published Aug. 28, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has injured his right foot and will miss the September 13 National Football League (NFL) season opener and likely beyond, the New York Post reported Saturday.

He picked up the injury in the third quarter of Friday night's preseason game against the Redskins, which the Jets lost 16-11.

Pace appeared to walk very gingerly in the locker room and was wearing a large protective boot on the foot. He declined comment, saying he would speak early in the week.

"We expect him to be out a few weeks," said Jets coach Rex Ryan, who wasn't sure if there was a fracture or not.

"It's a big loss, but we're fortunate we have a lot of depth at that position. Jason Taylor's role is going to change from 75 percent [of the snaps] to 100 percent until Calvin comes back."

Pace, who missed the first four games of last season because of a substance-abuse suspension, led the team with eight sacks in 2009 and is their best pass rusher.

Now the focus will be on Taylor, who was brought here to be a part-time pass rusher. Taylor insisted he was ready for a bigger role.

"I wasn't going around telling everybody I was a situation guy," Taylor said. "I want to play."