FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets star Darrelle Revis, widely regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL, tore the ACL in his left knee and will require season-ending surgery.

 

A Monday morning MRI exam confirmed the Jets' worst fears, leaving their struggling defense without its best player. Revis will wait two to three weeks before having the surgery, the team said. The usual recovery time for ACL surgery is six to nine months.

 

A somber Rex Ryan made the announcement at his noon news conference, admitting he had a hunch the MRI would reveal bad news after talking with a downcast Revis on the team's flight home from South Florida. He said the team doctor indicated after the game it was likely a significant injury.

 

"Is it a major blow when you lose a great player like Darrelle Revis? Of course, absolutely it is," Ryan said. "But this is a football team."

 

Ryan stopped short of saying Revis will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, but that's only academic at this point. The Jets, who created a roster spot Monday by waiving backup defensive tackle Marcus Dixon, are expected to explore the free-agent and trade markets for a veteran corner, according to a source.

 

Revis, who returned to action Sunday after missing Week 2 with a concussion, was injured late in the third quarter of the Jets' 23-20 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins.

 

It was a non-contact injury on the grass surface; his left knee buckled as he tried to get into position to tackle running back Daniel Thomas on a screen pass. Revis went down on a cut block by center Mike Pouncey, but the injury occurred before the block, according to Ryan.

 

Former No. 1 pick Kyle Wilson, the nickel back, will replace Revis in the starting lineup. Beyond Wilson and fellow starter Antonio Cromartie, the Jets are thin at cornerback. Ellis Lankster moves into the No. 3 role -- for now.

 

"We're fortunate because we've got the best in the league in Darrelle and we also have a No. 1 corner in Cromartie," said Ryan, adding, "I'm confident in Kyle."

 

But it will be almost impossible to replace Revis, a three-time All-Pro selection. He routinely covers the opponents' No. 1 wide receiver, often shutting him down and allowing the coaches to employ aggressive blitzing schemes. Revis is so good that he allowed only one touchdown pass in 2011.

 

Ryan, who calls Revis and Deion Sanders the two best cornerbacks he's ever seen, reluctantly admitted he probably will have to tweak his defensive approach without his top corner. He called it "a personal challenge" for him and his defensive staff, saying, "Any coach worth his salt always takes things personally."

 

The problem is, the Jets' defense, which Ryan predicted would finish in the top five for the fourth straight year, is off to a poor start. They're ranked 21st in total yards allowed, struggling against the run (28th). Stopping the run usually is the hallmark of a Ryan-coached defense.

 

Revis has missed only three games in five-plus seasons due to injury, including two games in 2010 due to a pulled hamstring. Without him on the field, the Jets have never intercepted a pass, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

 

Without him in Week 2, the Jets surrendered 275 passing yards and two touchdowns to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. On Sunday, his absence was felt immediately. Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess, held to one reception by Revis over the first 41 minutes, caught four passes for 63 yards after the injury.

 

Amid the gloom, Ryan tried to turn the adversity into a rallying point, insisting his team would find a way to overcome Revis' absence. He said he hasn't allowed himself an "oh, no" moment.

 

"Never happens," he said. "We have enough to get it done here."

 

The Jets (2-1) happen to be in first place in the AFC East, but Ryan didn't sound like a first-place coach.

 

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8420040/new-york-jets-darrelle-revis-torn-acl-undergo-surgery

ouch. As much as I dont like the Jets. it sucks to see them lose Revis for the year. When I play a team, I want to beat them at their best, not with their best player missing! Here's wishing Revis a speedy recovery!

Sad panda.

Peace out Revis f*** you I'm not finishing your stupid ass nickname.

Peace out Revis f*** you I'm not finishing your stupid ass nickname.

 

Haterz guna hate.

Now Holmes went down.

New York Jets: the gift that keeps on giving.

New York Jets: the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Not to Rachel or M******l.

Funny sh*t coming from Dolfans since, ya know, you lost to us and are 1-3.

It's going to be a long season for Sanchez if Holmes is out.

Funny sh*t coming from Dolfans since, ya know, you lost to us and are 1-3.

 

 

The only difference is the Dolphins have been miles better than they should've been. Our 1-3 is a very modest 1-3 where we could easily be 3-1 with 1 loss to what looks like the best team in the league so far. I'm pretty sure we all gave up on our season well before it started.

 

Meanwhile, over on the Jets camp... it's just a bunch of imbeciles and wishful sillies prancing around cheering over a victory over the Bills and back down to reality -- Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, Rex Ryan, Tony Sparano, you know... a team that should be terrible is actually terrible.

 

I mean feel free to rub it in my face if the Jets actually pull something over .500 off, but the way I see it they'd be happy with two under, if even that.

Oh, so the 1-3 Dolfans should be mocking the 2-2 Jets -- who they just lost to -- because their fans expected them to suck?

 

Gotcha.

Yup, that's pretty much what I'm saying.

 

You know... point and laugh at us all off-season and tell us how much we're gonna suck and watch us agree with you (you the Jets fans, not you Adam)... and you guys look awfully pathetic and whatever little hope you had is dwindling away pretty fast and giving us something to laugh at now.

And I mean, the Jets BARELY beat the Dolphins ...

BARELY. Cause Dan Carpenter can't hit a long distance kick any more. :|

Holmes out for the season.