Jets notes: Coleman out after appendectomy

[Smizzy]

Jets notes: Coleman out after appendectomy

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

Jets safety Erik Coleman, who has been sidelined since the second day of training camp with a mysterious illness, had his appendix removed over the weekend and is expected to return in 10 days to two weeks, according to someone with knowledge of his condition who requested anonymity because of coach Eric Mangini's policy that prohibits discussing injuries.

Coleman, one of the starting safeties, didn't make the trip to Giants Stadium over the weekend for two practices and Mangini continued to refuse to give out any details on his condition. He would only call it an "illness."

After missing three days of camp, Coleman, a third-year pro, had been working out with the injured players on the sidelines until this weekend.

"Erik is fine," the person told The Star-Ledger yesterday. "It was a simple procedure and a total success. There's no mysterious illness."

The Jets canceled practice yesterday. They'll have two-a-day sessions today and tomorrow before traveling to Tampa on Thursday for their preseason opener on Friday.

In other injury news, an MRI yesterday on the right knee of rookie cornerback Drew Coleman was negative, it has been learned.

Drew Coleman, a sixth-round pick from TCU, injured his knee when a teammate fell on him in the second half of the Jets' mock scrimmage on Sunday at Giants Stadium. He was carted off the field and it was feared he had sustained a serious injury.

An MRI, however, showed only a bruised knee and a slight stretch of the MCL. He's expected to be out a few days to a week.

Cornerback David Barrett is also out with a leg injury as the Jets' secondary has been bit by the injury bug.

Erik Coleman and Barrett were starters last season. They've been replaced by rookie Eric Smith and veteran free agent Andre Dyson, respectively.

Interestingly, as a rookie, Erik Coleman won the starting job when veteran starter Reggie Tongue missed roughly a week of training camp and was unable to regain his job from Coleman when he returned.

Now, Erik Coleman could find himself in a similar situation as Smith has been solid as his replacement -- and is bigger and more physical. Fellow starting safety Kerry Rhodes has taken over Coleman's duties as the signal caller for the secondary.

WR Laveranues Coles, in his second tour of duty with the Jets, is winning over Mangini. He had five catches for 60 yards in the mock scrimmage on Sunday.

"I think Laveranues has had a really good camp," Mangini said. "I really like his toughness. I know playing against him, he was difficult in the running game because of his physical presence. He's physical on his routes. I like his progress."

Mangini also said Coles has been a big help to the other receivers.

RB Curtis Martin's status remains in doubt. He's not expected to practice any time soon and is walking with a limp.... Rookie LB Anthony Schlegel, a third-round pick out of Ohio State, has been quietly having a solid camp.... Veteran WR Tim Dwight looks like he'll be a nice addition.... LB Ryan Myers, who made the team as a rookie free agent last season, has been making plays.

[BwanaZulia]

Wow.

BZ

[Ten]

Go Ryan Myers.

[SoFlaJets]

operation he'll be out a few more weeks-not good news for him falling so far behind with a new CS-from JC from Richie Cimini

[SeniorFlaJet]

Strange that it took so long to diagnose an appendix problem.

People that I know who had that problem sure knew where it hurt.

[Blackout]

it took 3 days in the hospital before my mom was diagnosed with appendecitis or whatever its called

**** happens