The Jets announced their plans for Sunday’s tribute to the late Dennis Byrd.
Byrd, who played for the Jets from 1989-92 and overcame paralysis from an on-field injury that ended his career, died in a car crash Saturday in Oklahoma.
Before Sunday’s game with the Ravens, the Jets will show a tribute on the stadium’s videoboards that tells the story of his career and his battle back from injury. There will then be a moment of silence before the national anthem.
Members of Byrd’s immediate family will serve as honorary captains during the coin toss. They will be joined on the field by former Jets teammates Scott Mersereau, Paul Frase and Marvin Washington. Mersereau was the player Byrd collided with when he broke his neck.
The Jets also will wear the “90” decals on their helmets like they wore last week in Arizona.
Coach Todd Bowles declared rookie LB Darron Lee out for Sunday. Lee sprained his ankle in the loss to the Cardinals on Monday night.
Bowles said he is unsure if this injury will keep Lee out beyond this week.
“I’m hoping not, but it’s still too early to tell,” Bowles said. “I just know he’s out this week.”
The Jets might need to sign a linebacker for the game. Practice squad player Julian Stanford is one candidate, Bowles said.
DE Muhammad Wilkerson was limited Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice with what Bowles called a “sore ankle.” Wilkerson had surgery on that ankle in January, so it can be expected that it is bothering him and could be hurting his production. He has just 1 ½ sacks this season.
Despite the issue with his ankle, the Jets have played Wilkerson on 96 percent of their defensive snaps this season. But Bowles said they don’t think the injury is bothering him enough to sit him down.
“If we saw it affecting his play, yes [we would rest him],” Bowles said. “But it hasn’t affected his play. He’s going to be sore here and there throughout, which is going to be maintenance regardless of what he does during the game. It could be 50 snaps, he’ll still be sore after the game. That’s just normal.”
Bowles said OT Brent Qvale (neck) won’t play this week. … In addition to Lee and Qvale, also missing practice Thursday were TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle), TE Braedon Bowman (knee) and DE Sheldon Richardson (excused absence). … Center Nick Mangold (knee) and OT Ryan Clady (shoulder) were limited in addition to Wilkerson.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco missed the second straight day of practice Thursday with a shoulder injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday he is optimistic Flacco will play.