The New York Jets' defense wasn't the same beast against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday without Darrelle Revis on the field.
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The team's star cornerback has a much better chance to play against the Miami Dolphins. Revis has been cleared for contact after suffering a concussion in Week 1, coach Rex Ryan told reporters at a news conference Thursday.
Revis will practice fully with the team, but hasn't been cleared to play Sunday, likely more of a technicality than an obstacle for the Jets.
"Again, if it's not the final hurdle I don't want to say something that isn't true," Ryan said. "I'm going to rely on the doctors and the trainers; hopefully he'll play but we'll see."
Pressed repeatedly about Revis' status for Sunday, Ryan stuck to the company line: "Again, I could say that I expect him to play, but again, I am going to leave that to the doctors and the trainers. He's cleared for contact."
Revis would have been a tremendous help against wide receiver Antonio Brown in the 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh. Brown and Mike Wallace combined for 12 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown against New York's defense.
"There's only one Darrelle Revis," Rex said. "It's hard not to smile when he's out there."
Not if your name is Dolphins wideout Brian Hartline -- whose job Sunday is about to become a nightmare -- but that's probably not who Rex was referring to.
UPDATE: "I'm playing Sunday," Revis told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "I can bang my head on a wall if I want to."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.