Rex Ryan “pretty confident” Dee Milliner will play Sunday
By Matt Reed
It was first reported Thursday by ESPNNewYork.com writer Mike Mazzeo that New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner had been upgraded from “cautiously optimistic” to “pretty confident” by head coach Rex Ryan, but now it appears very likely that we will see Milliner on the field Sunday.
"“If he plays, he’ll help us,” Ryan said Thursday. “But I would think that we would end up starting Antonio Allen and [Darrin] Walls. That’s my initial thought.”"
On Friday, Mazzeo followed up his report, stating that Milliner warmed up on his own, before joining the rest of the team for practice. Rex Ryan stated yesterday that while he does believe that Dee Milliner will play, he likely won’t start against the Green Bay Packers.
With Milliner coming back, it is up in the air as to who will start opposite him. Cornerback Darrin Walls and converted safety Antonio Allen will be the two starters again to begin the game against the Packers, but Milliner will have to take one of them out at some point.
In addition to Milliner coming back, the Jets re-signed corner Ellis Lankster on Friday, after waiving Leon McFadden a day earlier. Lankster has experience with New York, so the move makes sense. He has played on special teams in the past as well, making his return more valuable to the squad.