Hartford Courant

New philosphy for the banged-up Jets: “Whoever’s got a pulse.”

- By Dennis Waszak Jr.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Wanted: Healthy bodies who can catch a pass.

Or throw a block. Or last an entire game.

That’s the state of things with the New York Jets right now, and it seems to get worse by the day.

A day after acknowledg­ing that wide receiver Breshad Perriman likely won’t play in either of the next two games because of an ankle injury, coach Adam Gase said Thursday it appears Jamison Crowder won’t be ready to go at Indianapol­is on Sunday.

“You can commonsens­e it if you want,” Gase said. “I’m just not going to close the door on him if, for some reason, he feels like he’s feeling a lot better in the next few days. But, I mean, I’d say it’s doubtful.”

Meanwhile, second-round pick Denzel Mims (hamstring) is still on injured reserve, as are Vyncint Smith (core muscle) and Jeff Smith (knee). Oh, and Chris Hogan (rib) was expected to be limited at practice for the second straight day.

That leaves Braxton Berrios and Josh Ma lone as the team’ s only fully healthy wide receivers. Undrafted rookie Lawrence Cager is an option to be elevated from the practice squad after flashing at times in training camp.

“His developmen­t is going to have to quicken up, I guess,” Gase said of Cager. “I mean, we’re down to whoever’s available. Whoever’s got a pulse right now, we’re ready to go.”

The Jets also have D. J. Montgomery and Jaleel S cotton the practice squad.

Maybe Hines Ward, the team’s wide receivers coach who hasn’t played since 2011, still has a catch or two in him.

But wait, there’s more.

Starting right tackle George Fant suffered a concussion when he collided with a teammate in practice Wednesday — coincident­ally after defensive players suggested that the team’s preparatio­n during the first two weeks was too slow — and might not be cleared in time to play the Colts. Chuma Edoga would start in his place if Fant can’t go.

The list goes on: cornerback Quincy Wilson has a concussion and rookie safety Ashtyn Davis (groin) weren’t practicing. Running back Kalen Ballage(rib), left tackle Mekhi Becton (shoulder), running back La ’Mical Perine (ankle) and cornerback Nate Hairston (hip) were all expected to be limited.

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