Buster Skrine's quick recovery gves Jets' secondary a boost

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Just before halftime of the Jets' Week 6 victory over the Redskins, Buster Skrine left the field with what was later diagnosed as a concussion. Dexter McDougle played well in place of Skrine in the second half, and would have been set for an increased role in Week 7 if Skrine didn't pass through the NFL's mandatory concussion protocol.

After practicing with a non-contact jersey early in the week, Skrine shed the jersey Friday after passing the protocol and is listed as probable for Sunday's game, meaning the Jets' secondary will be at full strength as they prepare to take on Tom Brady in Foxboro. Darrelle Revis still seems likely to shadow Julian Edelman even when the Patriots receiver mans the slot, as Skrine has plenty of outside experience as well.

Skrine's versatility is the big reason his return is so important to the Jets' defense. With Revis set to stick with Edelman in a battle that will likely occur as often inside as it does outside, the Jets need a reliable presence to shore up the boundary when Revis slides to the slot. While McDougle looked good against the Redskins, Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady are in completely different leagues and Brady would very likely have put a target on McDougle's back, thrusting the second-year player into a spotlight he may not yet be fully ready for.

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