Cotchery uncertain to play vs. Bills

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed a second straight day of practice because of a hamstring injury and was uncertain whether he'll be ready to play against Buffalo.

"It doesn't look real good," coach Rex Ryan said. "We'll see how he is."

Cotchery was injured in practice last Thursday and sat out two days before playing Monday night at Miami.

"We're taking the same program we took last week," Cotchery said. "We're just trying to treat it hard every day and put in those long hours every day to make sure we're taking care of this thing."

Wide receiver Brad Smith (quadriceps), right tackle Damien Woody (right foot) and defensive end Shaun Ellis (bruised knee) also didn't practice for the second consecutive day. But Ryan felt confident Ellis and Woody would be able to go against Buffalo.

"I'm working toward it," Ellis said. "I'm just trying to get myself to where I need to be and just doing everything I can to get out there."

If both Cotchery and Smith can't go, David Clowney and Wallace Wright would see increased time. The Jets also might add a new wrinkle, with running back Danny Woodhead working at wide receiver during practice Thursday.

Woodhead is currently on the practice squad and imitates opponents' top running backs and receivers on the scout team.

"He could be a slot receiver," Ryan said. "Sometimes you stumble into it, but he did a great job of being like Wes Welker when we were preparing for New England. We put him in the slot, and he was tough. He really was."

Woodhead, the former NCAA career rushing leader at Chadron State, worked with the Jets' receivers and wore No. 83, formerly worn by the recently traded Chansi Stuckey.

"I didn't want to take Stuck's number so soon, but it looked better than 86," Woodhead said. "It just didn't look right on a little guy like me."

Ryan has raved about the 5-foot-7 Woodhead's pass-catching skills since minicamp, but the Jets have three other running backs on the active roster.

"His better shot might be to learn receiver," Ryan said. "He could be one of those jack-of-all-trades guys. He becomes really valuable that way."

Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard (right quadriceps) and Donald Strickland (right ankle) were limited again Thursday, but Ryan said Sheppard will play Sunday.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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