Jets say Turner has broken leg, McKnight out with concussion

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets confirmed that offensive lineman Robert Turner has a broken right leg that will require surgery, and running back Joe McKnight has a concussion.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that Turner will be operated on later this week to determine how long the versatile lineman will be sidelined. Turner was hurt during New York's 20-16 preseason-opening loss to the Texans on Monday night when Houston's J.J. Watt rolled into his leg.

"Certainly, that's unfortunate for us and we'll move on," Ryan said.

McKnight, also injured in the game, won't participate in team drills while he's being evaluated.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Plaxico Burress had his first significant practice as a member of the Jets after resting his sprained left ankle since Friday. Burress participated in a dozen team drills, the most practice he has had since signing with the team on July 31.

Linebacker Bart Scott (lower leg) didn't practice and will be monitored during the week.

Center Nick Mangold (stinger) could play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but guard Brandon Moore (hip) is doubtful. Both participated in some team drills Wednesday.

Defensive lineman Sione Pouha didn't practice with a knee injury. Ryan was uncertain of the nature of the injury.

"I don't know what they call it, something on his knee," Ryan said. "But we put a brace on it and he was out there in pads, but he wasn't doing anything."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Pack's Matthews: I played second half of 2010 with broken leg

Packers Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews played the second half of the 2010 season and all of the playoffs with a broken leg, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

Matthews, who had 13.5 sacks during the season and 3.5 more during the Packers' run to the Super Bowl title, mentioned the injury while answering a question about how much the Packers will miss departed defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I don't make a big deal of it," Matthews said Tuesday. "(It happened) some time in the middle of the season. You can't do anything about it. I was just taking practices off and showing up on game day and giving it my all."

Matthews was listed on the injury report every week from Week 9 through the NFC Championship Game as probable with a shin injury, which in fact was a lower-leg stress fracture.

Jenkins' presence last season seemingly helped Matthews, who had 14 of his 17 sacks during the 15 games in which the lineman played. In the five games Jenkins missed because of injury, Matthews had just three sacks.

"I also had a stress fracture in four of those games," Matthews said. "But nobody knows that. I had a stress fracture in my leg. A sore shin as you guys call it, but that's all right. Obviously, I'm not making excuses. Cullen is a terrific athlete, and we're definitely going to take a hit in our defensive line, but at the same time, I think they have confidence in the guys coming up."

Matthews, who also has struggled with hamstring issues during each of his first two NFL seasons (both of which resulted in Pro Bowl berths), took a different approach to his offseason training this year, including much more cardiovascular work. As a result, he arrived at Packers camp weighing six pounds less than he did in 2010.

"This offseason, I put an emphasis on really coming in here in great cardio shape and make sure I had done everything that I possibly could to say, 'Hey, this is how we’re going to prevent injuries,' " Matthews said. "That's the nature of the beast. You're going to get injured in this game, but I feel good. I feel good about where I'm at headed into my third year and feel like I can definitely outdo what I've put on paper and on film the last two years."

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Steelers QB Roethlisberger recovering from broken nose

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger is walking around with a large bandage on his broken nose and a protective boot on his painfully injured right foot.

And, at least for a moment, a smile brought on by another well-known Pittsburgh sports figure.

"Mario Lemieux told me I finally look like a hockey player," Roethlisberger said Wednesday, referring to the Penguins' co-owner.

The Steelers quarterback will wear a protective shield to protect a nose that so splintered while being smacked by the Baltimore Ravens' Haloti Ngata, X-rays revealed nose bones that "looked like corn flakes," Roethlisberger said.

"I was like, 'Oh, that's good,'" he said.

Regardless, Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday as usual, and he plans to play in Sunday's AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-10). Despite having his nose bent awkwardly during Pittsburgh's initial series, he didn't miss a play as the Steelers (9-3) beat the Ravens 13-9 on Sunday to take sole possession of the division lead with four games remaining.

The quarterback has been told he can do no further damage to his nose by playing. His nose also was broken and needed surgical reconstruction following his 2006 motorcycle accident. But this injury wasn't complicated by that rebuilding.

"They said everything looked really good," Roethlisberger said. "I did a CT scan before the surgery (Monday) and they said everything was still holding up really well and they were really pleased with that. .. The plates and everything in my face were fine, so that's good."

Playing with a shield for the first time will take some adjustment, just as it does hockey players who choose to wear one after playing without it.

"We're going to get some practice, so we'll see," Roethlisberger said. "I saw the early forecast is rain, snow, so it'll be fun, I'm sure."

Ngata wasn't penalized for raking his hand across Roethlisberger's face, but he was fined $15,000 one day later for striking a defenseless player in the head. Roethlisberger had no comment about the fine, but teammate Hines Ward said he was glad someone other than Steelers linebacker James Harrison was punished for hitting a quarterback.

Roethlisberger said he asked referee Terry McAuley why there was no penalty and was told, "He was just trying to tackle you."

Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain also was fined $40,000 for a helmet hit that caused Steelers tight end Heath Miller's concussion. That hit also wasn't penalized.

"But once again the referees didn't throw any flags, so there's still some discrepancies going on," Ward said. "It's finally good to see that we're not the only team getting fines. I'm not happy the way it happened, with no penalties, but it's good to see somebody else have to deal with it. Especially for the hit on Heath."

While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin lists Miller's status as doubtful, the tight end isn't giving up hope that he might play Sunday.

"I've never had a concussion before," Miller said. "But it's getting better every day, so that's a good thing. I only remember what I've seen on TV. ... It's still a little hazy but, like I said, I'm feeling a little better every day."

Miller must pass neurological tests that are given daily to players with a concussion before he is cleared to play.

Steelers right tackle Flozell Adams (high ankle sprain) also hasn't ruled out playing on an offensive line that is so beaten up, the Steelers were missing three tackles and two tight ends in Baltimore.

"It's one of those things that's rare that we have a lot of players, not just a few, but a lot of guys who can step in and play," Adams said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Saints RB Bush says he's clear to test leg that was broken

Reggie Bush expressed optimism Monday that he can practice this week on his healing right leg and possibly play Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New Orleans Saints' star running back, who has missed five games since fracturing his right fibula in Week 2, said team doctors have told him he has healed enough to test his leg at full-speed.

Bush said he plans to try that when the Saints return to practice Wednesday.

"I expect to go out there and see what I can do," Bush said. "I don't know if I can practice, if I'm going to be 100 percent. I'm just going to go out there and give it my best shot. I feel good, but I haven't gone out there."

Bush said his leg has responded well to strength and conditioning exercises with the training staff during the past few weeks. However, he cautioned that he isn't sure how he'll feel when he tries to make sharp, lateral cuts typically required of him during games. Bush said doctors have told him he'll know he's ready to play when he can tolerate those types of football moves.

"I'm an explosive player, so it's different doing things in the training room than getting out there on the football field and making those hard cuts and routes and all those things," Bush said. "I've got to play a whole football game, not just an hour in the training room."

Bush's injury occurred when players piled on him while he recovered his muffed punt during the fourth quarter of the Saints' 25-22 victory at San Francisco.

Before his injury, Bush had been most effective in the passing and punt-return games. He had a 6-yard touchdown catch and 43-yard punt return against the 49ers. He was off to a slow start as a rusher, gaining just 18 yards on seven carries.

The Saints (4-3) have gone 2-3 in the five games that Bush has missed. Although Bush isn't always prolific, the Saints consider him a threat to score at any time and value his versatility.

"It's going to be wait and see this week," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "We're optimistic, yet we're guarded. I think we just have to pay attention to how this work week goes."

Bush said he is eager to return, but he must be cautious.

"It's all about being safe and being 100 percent and being sure that you're ready to go out there and contribute without having any lingering pain or nagging injuries or anything like that," he said.

Payton also addressed speculation of tension between the team and injured starting running back Pierre Thomas, who has been slow to recover from an ankle injury.

"There hasn't been any tiff," Payton said. "Certainly we're all frustrated with the progress of Pierre's rehab. Anything specific in that matter would be between Pierre and I, and the club."

Pressed further on the matter, Payton continued: "Like I said, anything that takes place with Pierre and myself in those meetings is certainly not for you. Listen. You're asking me a question, I'm telling you the answer. All right? I'm telling you we're all frustrated. ... We're all frustrated with the injury, all right? We're disappointed it's taken this long. And any communication -- and certainly Pierre and I are on the same page -- is for us, the club, the player, and it's simple."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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