Wagner star picks up slack in LB corps

Todd Bowles insists he is comfortable with journeyman Julian Stanford starting at inside linebacker next to David Harris. He had better be because there probably isn’t a better option.

With inside linebacker Darron Lee (ankle) and Bruce Carter (quad) both ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Browns, the former Wagner College star from Bloomfield, Conn., is expected to get the first start of his Jets ca- reer in Cleveland.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity for me,” the undrafted Stanford said Thursday after practice. “I feel like I’m at home. It’s a great situation for me. ... When I saw Bruce go down, I knew it was my time. I had to show up.”

The Jets are the 26-yearold linebacker’s fourth NFL team after stints with the Jaguars, Lions and Buccaneers. He joined the Jets in December as a member of the practice squad. He made the opening-day roster before briefly being sent to the practice squad Sept. 26. He impressed his coaches in the Jets’ 24-16 Week 7 win over the Ravens, making seven tackles, six of them solo.

“I just kept working, stuck with it,” Stanford said. “I said when opportunity knocks, I’m going to be ready to go.”

In addition to Carter and Lee being ruled out for the Browns game, right tackle Brent Qvale (neck) also will not play, according to Bowles. Center Nick Mangold (ankle), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (high ankle sprain), running back Matt Forte (knee), left tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder), cornerback Buster Skrine (knee), defensive end Sheldon Richardson (personal matter) and safety Antonio Allen (Achilles) did not practice. Bowles is holding out hope for Mangold, who still is unable to run. JETS NOTES