Darrelle Revis starts vs. Broncos

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DENVER -- New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, hampered the last four weeks by a pulled hamstring, started Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

After a light practice Saturday in Denver, Revis -- listed as questionable -- was resigned to not playing, according to sources. But the organization decided to postpone the decision until Sunday, giving him a chance to test the hamstring in the pre-game warm-ups. By late Sunday morning, Revis was telling teammates at the hotel that he might play.

It wasn't decided until two hours before kickoff, when Revis met on the field with Jets coach Rex Ryan, GM Mike Tannenbaum and the medical staff.

Revis, who missed the preseason because of a contract holdout, pulled his hamstring in Week 2 and sat out the next two games. He returned last week to face the Minnesota Vikings, but he suffered perhaps his worst game as a pro. He was clearly affected by the hamstring, claiming afterward it was "very sore" and "very swollen."

Ryan didn't second-guess the decision to play Revis, but he admitted he made a mistake by letting Revis make the decision on whether to play after announcing that doctors had cleared him. People close to Revis believe he felt pressured to play.

This time, Ryan took control of the situation, announcing last Wednesday he would make the final call, not Revis.

"It's on my shoulders," Ryan proclaimed.

Ryan also floated the possibility of using Revis in a part-time role, a 180-degree change in philosophy. Going into the Minnesota game, the coach said he wouldn't consider that option, claiming it was all or nothing.

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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Rich Cimini

ESPNNewYork.com

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Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse graduate, covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
Follow Rich on Twitter