"Inside the Jets' locker room Thursday, Brett Favre showed Laveranues Coles how to operate a fancy, full-sized bow.

But on Sunday, when the amateur archer takes aim at the Kansas City Chiefs, Favre could be without Coles, one of his favorite targets.

Coach Eric Mangini confirmed that Coles sustained a concussion last Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. It was Coles's third documented head injury since late December 2006.

"It's a concussion," Mangini said. Suddenly, the room was silent because Mangini says "concussion" about as often as he says "my friend, Bill Belichick."

Mangini also confirmed that safety Eric Smith sustained his second concussion of the season in the game against the Raiders. The first came three weeks earlier, after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, which cost Smith a one-game suspension and $50,000.

Mangini did not say whether Coles or Smith would play Sunday.

"I've got personal concern for all the guys," Mangini said. "Their safety is important to me. That's going to be first and foremost."

Coles understands the Jets' policy on talking about - or not talking about - injuries as well as anyone. When a crowd of reporters surrounded his locker, Coles said any comments he made about concussions would be considered "conduct detrimental to the team."

"Unless y'all are going to fork over some cash, don't ask me no more questions about it," he said. "Talk to Eric and the doctors."

The Jets do not allow team doctors to speak to the news media, but Mangini spent about half of his news conference answering concussion-related questions. He said the Jets had set up protocols, which include baseline testing, for games and for the weeks leading up to them."