Darrelle Revis: 'I'm playing'

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis needed only three words to end the speculation.

"I'm playing Sunday," the New York Jets' star cornerback said matter-of-factly Thursday after his first full practice since sustaining a concussion.

“

This is a must-win for us. We need this win. The expectations are high for us to go down there and get a win Sunday.

” -- Darrelle Revis

Revis said he was cleared by doctors to face the Miami Dolphins, a huge boost for the Jets (1-1) in what he described as a pivotal AFC East matchup.

"This is a must-win for us," Revis said. "We need this win. The expectations are high for us to go down there and get a win Sunday."

In South Florida, Dolphins linebacker Kevin Burnett was sidelined by a foot injury, raising doubts about his availability for Sunday's game.

Burnett was added to the injury report Thursday, when he did not practice. He missed much of training camp with a back injury but started the Dolphins' first two games.

On Thursday morning, Revis was cleared for contact by the team doctor and an independent neurologist, per NFL protocol. He said he made it through the entire practice without any setbacks, purposely jamming a couple of wide receivers to see how he'd respond. The contact, he said, "felt good."

Revis eschewed the traditional red (non-contact) practice jersey, telling the trainers he didn't want any restrictions. He was evaluated afterward, adhering to the league's post-concussion standards, and he checked out fine.

"I can bang my head against the wall," he said, laughing.

Speaking before practice, Rex Ryan stopped short of saying that Revis would play Sunday, indicating it was contingent on how he progressed for the remainder of the week. His All-Pro cornerback made the announcement for him, repeatedly telling reporters, "I'm playing."

After watching his pass defense struggle without Revis last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan is thrilled by the prospect of having him in the secondary again.

"I think you feel good when you have the best player on the field; that can't hurt you," the coach said. "They've got some great players over on Miami ... but there's only one Darrelle Revis. I know I feel great about it. It's hard not to smile. You feel great as a play caller."

Revis was injured in the fourth quarter of the season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills, when he was accidentally kicked in the back of the head by teammate Bart Scott. Revis was on his stomach after a diving tackling attempt, and he never saw Scott, who was in pursuit of running back C.J. Spiller.

The team called it a "mild" concussion. Revis later admitted he was "in a fog." He said it was his first concussion.

Revis didn't make the trip to Pittsburgh last weekend, and the Jets missed his shutdown coverage ability, as Ben Roethlisberger passed for 275 yards and two touchdowns.

How much did the Jets miss Revis, whom Ryan called one of the premier defensive players in the league?

In 3½ quarters with Revis, the Jets allowed only a 56 percent completion rate, recording three interceptions and surrendering only one touchdown pass, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In 4½ quarters without him, the completion rate jumped to 73 percent, with four touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Rich Cimini

ESPNNewYork.com

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Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse graduate, covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
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