"With just a couple of days separating the Jets from the most important game of their season, they're still sorting out their kickoff and punt returners for Sunday in New England.

With safety Jim Leonhard (fractured thumb) not able to return punts, it looks as if receiver Jerricho Cotchery will return punts against the Patriots.

Cotchery, who returned kickoffs early in his career, approached special teams coach Mike Westhoff and asked to return punts and, according to Westhoff, looks like the best option.

"He's sure-handed and completely smooth back there," Westhoff said.

When the Jets use their two-man return tandem, it looks as if receiver Brad Smith will be the second player back for punts.

On kickoffs, it looks as if cornerback Dwight Lowery will be the deep man again, though cornerback Justin Miller, who was inactive during last week's loss to the Jaguars, is making a big push to get back on the field."