FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis called it a "wacky" offseason for the New York Jets. Aren't they all? It certainly was an atypical offseason for Revis and, in some ways, it's not over.
The star cornerback, still rehabbing his surgically repaired wrist, hasn't stepped foot on the practice field -- and there's no telling when he will return. If he knows, he's not saying, creating a shroud of mystery (concern?) around the team's most accomplished player.
Revis said there's no timetable, adding that he's not frustrated by the length of the recovery period. He underwent surgery in March to repair a torn ligament, and the expectation was that he'd be ready for training camp.
"There’s always going to be soreness coming back from surgery where they’re trying to repair something, but there’s definitely no setbacks," Revis said. "I’m icing it and doing my exercises every day, but at the same time, there’s been no swelling or anything like that. So that’s a good sign."
Coach Todd Bowles was vague when discussing the injury, saying Revis could be "day-to-day or week-to-week." Bowles said he's not worried about Revis missing the season opener, so there's that. Obviously, they're not in a rush to get him back on the field -- a smart move. The downside is that he's not in football shape, making him vulnerable to muscle pulls, etc.
Revis played through the wrist injury last season, and it probably hampered him because he uses his hands more than most cornerbacks. He built his reputation as a bump-and-run magician, dominating wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. If he can't do that, he's a mere mortal because he doesn't have the speed to blanket receivers in downfield coverage. But he's still one of the best in the league, even at 31, and he's vital to the success of the Jets' defense.
Asked if he expects to be back to his old form by the Sept. 11 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Revis said: "I’ve been the same guy since Day 1. There’s never been any setbacks. As a team, we feel very confident and very good where we’re at with this rehab."
One thing about Revis: He doesn't like to talk about injuries and projected return dates. Whether it's a concussion or a cranky hamstring, he plays it close to the vest. But you can bet he has a strategy mapped out in his mind.
His mood perked up when asked about the signings of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Muhammad Wilkerson. He texted Wilkerson to congratulate him on his five-year, $86 million contract and he was thrilled to see Fitzpatrick walk into the team meeting on Wednesday night.
"It was surprising," he said of Fitzpatrick's long contract dispute, "but I could tell a lot of guys had smiles on their faces to have him back. It’s good, and we’re happy to have him back. It was like nothing had changed. He walked in the door and was ready to go."