William Perlman/The Star-LedgerRB Shonn Greene should be "fine next week," coach Rex Ryan said.
Rex Ryan said the Jets do not expect the low-grade skin infection on Shonn Greene's right foot to keep him out for an extended period of time.
"We think he'll be fine next week," the coach said today.
The starting running back was ruled out for Sunday's preseason game against the Bengals after missing practice Thursday afternoon. According to the team, Greene is taking antibiotics to treat the infection, which was caught early.
The team said it could not determine whether or not it is a staph infection because skin infections like his cannot be cultured. But a team spokesman said today that Greene is responding well to antibiotics and is expected back next week.
The team clarified Ryan's explanation of Greene's infection. Earlier this week, Greene had calluses shaved off his feet and received a local anesthetic for that procedure. While that was being done, he asked about irritation on another part of his foot, later diagnosed as a "standard, routine skin infection."
Greene did not have pus or fluid in his foot as a result of the skin infection, the team said. But swelling and irritation can result from standing on an infected foot, which is why Greene must keep it elevated. He is in the building today.
"Nobody seems too concerned with it," Ryan said.
Ryan also did not express concern with the infection spreading through the facility.
"You can eat off these floors," Ryan said. "They clean it like crazy. We try everything we can to make sure that never happens. We've never had an issue like that and hopefully we never will."
In Greene's absence, LaDainian Tomlinson will start at running back. Joe McKnight (head) is expected to be cleared to play, and rookie Bilal Powell may receive a heavier load of snaps as well.
WR Plaxico Burress (left ankle) will carry a full load in Sunday's preseason game, Ryan said. The starters will play into the second quarter, until they reach a snap total the coaches are satisfied with.
"We’re going to leave him in there," Ryan said. "Let him play a bunch. We’ve been working him pretty good these last few days, he looks fine. Our DBs are like, 'Man.' I wish we could just throw the ball a little more to him."
RG Brandon Moore (hip), NT Sione Pouha (left knee), LB Bart Scott (left leg) DL Marcus Dixon (knee) and OL Trevor Canfield (knee) are out, along with OL Rob Turner, who had surgery on a broken bone in his leg this week.
Vlad Ducasse will start for Moore, Josh Mauga will start for Scott, and Martin Tevaseu will start for Pouha, with rookie Kenrick Ellis also seeing a lot of playing time.
C Nick Mangold (stinger) and QB Mark Brunell (pinkie) will play.
OLB Calvin Pace (left groin) and WR Courtney Smith (ankle) will be re-evaluated after individual drills.