The Jets came into Sunday’s game with the Steelers short three injured starters and they lost another one before the end of the first half.
Running back Shonn Greene took a shot to the noggin from Steelers safety Ryan Mundy at the end of a nine-yard gain and immediately went to the sideline to get medical attention. Greene returned to the locker room with members of the Jets training staff a short time later and the team announced that he’s suffered a head injury. That likely means that he will be evaluated for a concussion and the team is calling his return questionable.
It’s a big loss for the Jets, who picked up where they left off offensively in the early part of the game. The offensive line took care of business in both phases, opening big holes for Greene to scamper through and protecting Mark Sanchez long enough for him to lead the team to 10 points and more than 10 minutes of possession on their first two drives. Santonio Holmes caught a touchdown and drew a couple of costly flags on cornerback Ike Taylor to help the team jump out to a 10-6 lead.
The Steelers defense held late in the half, though, and gave Ben Roethlisberger a chance to put some more points on the board. And that’s just what he did, leading a crisp 80-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. That leaves things 13-10 after a first half that moved as briskly as any we’ve seen so far this season.
UPDATE 5:56 p.m. ET: Greene is back on the field to start the second half.