Jets DBs Revis, Rhodes limited in practice, while Leonhard, Sheppard and Strickland sit

Jets’ secondary banged up before Saints game

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes were limited in practice Wednesday with injuries that aren’t expected to sideline them against the New Orleans Saints.

Revis (hamstring) and Rhodes (knee) didn’t appear to be noticeably hobbled during the 40-minute window of practice the media are allowed to watch. Safety Jim Leonhard (knee) joined cornerbacks Lito Sheppard (right quadriceps) and Donald Strickland (right ankle) as members of the secondary who didn’t practice.

Sheppard and Strickland were injured in the Week 2 victory over New England and didn’t play against Tennessee.

“I would feel a lot worse if this was Friday and those names were in that order,” coach Rex Ryan said. “I have a feeling we’ll have guys ready to play this weekend.”

The Jets can ill afford to be short-handed in the secondary against New Orleans and its top-ranked offense Sunday. The Saints’ Drew Brees leads the NFL with a 118.1 quarterback rating and nine touchdown passes.

“With all of those DBs on the report, you would think I would feel nervous, but we are only playing New Orleans,” Ryan said, laughing. “I’m not really worried about having to cover anybody with Drew Brees right there. I can just see the headline: ‘Ryan slams Brees.’”

Ryan said he was fairly confident Revis, Rhodes and Leonhard will be fine Sunday. The Jets brought in Justin Miller, who signed with Oakland on Wednesday, and former Raven Corey Ivy last week for workouts. Ryan said it’s ‘definitely a possibility’ they could sign someone if Sheppard and Strickland couldn’t go.

Linebacker Larry Izzo (hamstring) and offensive lineman Wayne Hunter (personal reasons) also didn’t practice.