The Jets are trying to hold on in the fourth quarter for their second straight win, but they might have to do it without one of their best defenders.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie has returned to the locker room after getting drilled by teammate Yeremiah Bell as both men were trying to break up a pass intended for Justin Blackmon. The ball fell incomplete, but Cromartie went down and walked off the field with the assistance of trainers a few moments later. They looked at him on the sideline before Cromartie went to the back.
As Cromartie was being looked at, the Jaguars were scoring their first touchdown of the game. Montell Owens broke off a 32-yard run to draw Jacksonville within 17-10 with seven minutes to play. If the Jags want to catch up, they’ll have to stop a suddenly frisky Jets running game. The Jets rode Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell to 17 straight points to open the second half, grabbing the lead and raising the possibility that they could win two straight games with an offense that’s universally derided.
It could happen, but the Jets are down one of their best players without much time to get him back.
UPDATE 3:55 p.m. ET: Cromartie returned to the game at the end of the fourth quarter.