New York Jets CB Antonio Cromartie is game-time decision

The New York Jets avoided a major injury to arguably their best playmaker on defense, as cornerback Antonio Cromartie suffered what initially looked like a serious knee injury yesterday, but it turned out to be just a hyper-extended knee. While not season-ending, it’s still the kind of injury that can sideline a player for weeks depending on the amount of swelling in the knee, and for now, the team is calling him a game-time decision vs the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cromartie, who has 10 interceptions since joining the Jets in 2010, hasn’t missed a single game while with New York, and has been off the field for a total of 37 opponent dropbacks during the past three seasons. During that time, the Jets have the lowest opponent QBR (42.1) on throws outside the painted numbers, and are one of 2 teams who have allowed a completion percentage less than 50 percent on those throws (Jets, 48.0 percent, and Houston, 49.3 percent).

Rookie cornerback Dee Miliner is also out Sunday, and this is suddenly a very thin secondary that will rely heavily on the Jets’ pass-rush to prevent the Steelers from attacking for big gain throughout the game.