"LaDainian Tomlinson was working out here at the Jets' facility last week when his former coach in San Diego, Marty Schottenheimer, dropped in.

According to Tomlinson, Schottenheimer said, "I'm sorry, kid, I just wore you out when you were young."

Tomlinson's reply? "Hey, I'm glad you gave me the ball."

Tomlinson is even happier that he'll be getting it again this weekend, after two weeks of being inactive because of a knee injury. The 11th-year running back will return to action for the Jets when they visit Washington on Sunday, and he might even get more work than usual, considering starter Shonn Greene is playing through a painful rib injury.

Tomlinson has "looked really good in the last couple of days," Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday. "I think he's excited, he's ready to go. He's had a good week of practice. Shonn is obviously coming off getting dinged up a little bit, so I think [Tomlinson] can probably see some" more carries.

"But again, the game kind of dictates that as it goes," Schottenheimer added. "He'll definitely be involved.""