Toe injury may force Forte to sit vs. Jags

It sounds like the Jets could be without running back Matt Forte this week against the Jaguars. Forte suffered a turf toe injury to his left big toe. He did not practice Wednesday and it did not sound promising that he could play this Sunday. “It’s tough to deal with,” Forte said. “The nature of your position at running back, obviously, a lot of pressure on your toes when you’re running and making cuts, even blocking. I know it’s tough to deal with. I’ve fought through it before.” Forte said he had a similar injury during his rookie year in his right big toe. The latest injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s win over the Dolphins when Forte was tackled just shy of the goal line.

Coach Todd Bowles did not say whether he thought Forte would be available this week.

“Too early to tell,” Bowles said. “He could be ready by the end of the week, could take another week depending on how he feels. We’ll see.”

The Jets signed running back Travaris Cadet as insurance if Forte can’t play. Cadet most recently played for the Saints.

DE Muhammad Wilkerson said he has a Grade 1 AC sprain in his shoulder. He did not say which shoulder. Wilkerson has been dealing with the injury since the Week 2 game in Oakland. He did not practice Wednesday.

“I’m going to play through it,” Wilker- son said. “I’m going to do whatever I can for my brothers out there. I want to be out there. I’m going to play through it.”

Wilkerson acknowledged it is something that probably will linger all season.

“It’s football. That’s what comes with this business,” Wilkerson said. “We’ve just got to take care of it each and every day and hopefully it feels good come Sunday.”

Wilkerson was asked if he has considered taking a week off to let it heal.

“Bye week, yeah,” he said.

Bowles said the Jets have not talked about how they will handle the national anthem this week. The team locked arms last week during the anthem as a sign of unity. … QB Josh McCown showed up on the injury report with a ribs injury. He practiced fully, so it does not appear to be serious.