Vilma's Season in Doubt

Mysterious knee injury initially denied by New York's defensive leader
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:15 PM CDT
Vilma's Season in Doubt
Baltimore Ravens' Todd Heap (86) drives the ball for a first down as New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51) and cornerback Darrelle Revis tackle him during the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 in Baltimore.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)   (Associated Press)

Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma may be out for the season with a knee injury, reports the New York Daily News; the extent and source of the injury are still shrouded in mystery. The signal-caller of the defense was uncharacteristically removed from several plays in New York's loss to Cincinnati over the weekend.

Coach Eric Mangini said an injury affected Vilma's play; however, the fourth-year veteran contradicted him on a local radio show, calling his removal a "coach's decision." Mangini described Vilma's mentality: "That’s toughness. I appreciate that. Sometimes, you have to look at it and say, ‘Is is counterproductive?’” (More NFL stories.)

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