National Football League

Jets CB Revis' status uncertain

Published Sep. 17, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Darrelle Revis is feeling better these days, recovering from the concussion that sidelined him Sunday.

The New York Jets' All-Pro cornerback still isn't sure, though, if he'll be back in uniform for the team's next game at Miami.

''I'm going through the tests and things'' Revis said Monday, ''and doing what I need to get back and help my team.''

And the Jets sure could use him after they lost 27-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the AFC East-rival Dolphins up next.

Revis suffered what the team called a ''minor concussion'' last Sunday in the season opener against Buffalo when he made a diving attempt to tackle the Bills' C.J. Spiller and then teammate Bart Scott accidentally kicked him in the head. He said he felt as though he was in ''a fog'' after he was first hurt, but has gotten progressively better since.

He was cleared to participate in non-contact drills Friday, but ruled out for the game. He had been limited to light running and lifting weights earlier in the week.

''I feel good,'' he said. ''I feel pretty good. The only way we can figure it out is the things that I'm doing test-wise, what the doctors are putting me through. From those results, they're showing up great, and I've just got to keep on passing those tests and move forward.''

Revis needs to be cleared by the team physician and an independent neurological consultant in order to first practice with full contact and then play. Because of the NFL protocol for players with head injuries, coach Rex Ryan can't definitely say he'll have Revis back in his secondary on Sunday.

''I don't think you can assume that,'' Ryan said. ''He has to - to the NFL standards - pass those tests right now. He looks to be doing well, so hopefully he will be playing.''

The team's characterization of the concussion as ''minor'' didn't matter to Revis, who is hoping to feel 100 percent soon.

''Any blow to the head, you have to take it serious,'' he said, adding that he never experienced any sensitivity to light or other usual side effects. ''Mild, severe, whatever it could be, it's still a head injury and that's how you've got to look at it.''

Revis said one day of the testing might be better than the previous day, so he has had to be patient during the process. It is the first concussion he suffered at any level of football.

He was replaced in the starting defense by Kyle Wilson, who had a solid game in his absence. But, Revis is considered by many to be the best cornerback in the league, a player who changes offensive game plans because of how he shuts down opposing wide receivers. The Jets clearly missed his presence against the Steelers' speedy trip of Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.

''I really wanted to be out there to play with my teammates,'' Revis said. ''You know, looking at the tape, there's things we did that we can easily correct. Not taking anything away from the Steelers, who are a great team. But there's things we need to clean up on our end for us to be better.''

Throughout the last week, Revis has spoken several times to teammate Eric Smith, who has missed time during his career after suffering a few concussions.

''We've been joking around a little bit, not to say this isn't a serious matter,'' Revis said, ''but I would always joke (in the past) with Smitty and say, `Get back because we need you.' Now, he's saying that to me.''

Ryan had no injury updates on fullback John Conner, who appeared to sprain his right knee for the second straight game, or tight end Dustin Keller and linebacker Bryan Thomas, who missed the game with hamstring injuries.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Lawrence Timmons early in the game, but remained in the game. Ryan said there was no concern that Sanchez might have suffered a head injury, although he said he had ''no idea'' if he had concussion-related tests after the game or on Monday.

''I've been in meetings the whole day, so I'm not sure,'' Ryan said. ''I thought he was engaged on the sideline. I thought he seemed to be sharp on the sideline.''