Antonio Cromartie set to play tomorrow

New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets star CB Antonio Cromartie hyperextended his knee during Thursday’s practice, and that seemed to put Cromartie’s status in doubt. However, it sounds like we should definitely pencil in Cro for tomorrow’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as there is now a second report stating that Antonio Cromartie is expected to play. Citing a source, the New York Post’s Brian Costello reports that Antonio Cromartie will likely play against the Steelers, and the source took things a step further than Adam Schefter’s report (Schefter also reported that Cromartie is expected to play) by stating that there was “never any doubt” he will be out there.

That’s a strong statement, and it means that we should be just downright shocked if Antonio Cromartie isn’t out there. Even though he will definitely be less than 100% and has struggled this season, Cromartie is still by far the Jets best corner, and he’s a very important part of this defense. He probably won’t be effective against Steelers superstar wideout Antonio Brown because of the injury, but an injured Cromartie still has a better chance of stopping Brown than anybody else on the Jets defense. Nobody else can shadow an elite receiver like Cro, and he showed his worth to this organization last season.

Rookie corner Dee Milliner has already been ruled out, so it’s going to be up to Cromartie, Darrin Walls, and slot corner Kyle Wilson to hold down the fort. If the Jets lost both Cromartie and Milliner for this week’s game, then there would have been some major issues.

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