FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith are doubtful to play against Buffalo after missing a third straight day of practice Friday because of injuries.
Despite some published reports that Cotchery had already been ruled out, coach Rex Ryan denied that was the case.
"That's news to me," Ryan said. "Do I expect them to play and all that, I'm not sure, but it's doubtful. I still want to make that decision probably a game-time decision."
Cotchery injured his left hamstring in practice Oct. 8 and sat out two days before making one catch for 4 yards Monday night at Miami. Smith injured a quadriceps muscle in the loss.
Cotchery, who wasn't in the locker room Friday, has missed just one game since becoming a starter in 2006.
"It's hard for me to deal with," Cotchery said Thursday. "It's very hard to sit on the sideline and see those guys go to work everyday and for me to not go out there and do anything."
If Cotchery doesn't go, David Clowney would get the start along with Braylon Edwards.
It would cap a roller-coaster few weeks for the speedy Clowney, who was benched by Ryan in Week 3 against Tennessee. Ryan said Clowney's practice habits were slipping at the time, and the wide receiver also tweeted that he was disappointed about his playing time.
"It's amazing how things work out," said Clowney, who had four catches for 72 yards at Miami. "I try not to think about those first couple of games. It's in the past and now I'm working my way up to a starting role for now and I'm just going to take advantage of it."
Special-teams standout Wallace Wright is also expected to get extended playing time. It's uncertain if the Jets would also choose to elevate running back-turned wide receiver Danny Woodhead from the practice squad in time for the game. They would have to cut someone from the active roster to do so.
Right tackle Damien Woody (right foot) didn't practice, and is questionable, but Ryan expects him to play -- as he did last week while dealing with the same injury.
Defensive end Shaun Ellis (bruised knee) and cornerback Donald Strickland (right ankle) were limited and are questionable.
Cornerback Lito Sheppard (right quad) is probable and will start opposite Darrelle Revis after missing the last three games.
"We feel good about him stepping up and starting, and we'll see how he feels," Ryan said. "I don't anticipate any problems."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
