Jets’ Cotchery misses practice with hamstring injury, status uncertain for Bills

WR Cotchery among 4 Jets to miss practice

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury and his status for the team’s game against Buffalo is uncertain.

Cotchery sat out two days of practice last week, but played at Miami on Monday night and had one catch for 4 yards despite being in for about 30 snaps. Coach Rex Ryan said he’s concerned about the injury, and added that Cotchery likely wouldn’t practice Thursday.

“We’ll see how he feels,” Ryan said of Cotchery’s availability for the game. “That’s his decision. I’m never going to force a player to play if he doesn’t feel right. We’ll see how he does.”

Wide receiver Brad Smith (quadriceps), right tackle Damien Woody (right foot) and defensive end Shaun Ellis (bruised knee) also didn’t practice Wednesday.

Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard (right quadriceps) and Donald Strickland (right ankle) both returned to practice, but were limited. Neither have played since being injured in New York’s win over New England in Week 2.

Sheppard said he’s ready to start Sunday against the Bills, and was prepared to play against the Dolphins but the team wanted to give him extra time to heal for this week.

“I’m going to be ready 100 percent,” Sheppard said. “When I came back, we wanted to be sure that I was going to be able to perform at the level I left off at and not have any setbacks.”