CINCINNATI -- New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, who was hoping to play Saturday night despite limited practice time due to a quadriceps injury, was a late scratch in the team's 25-17 preseason win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Decker, who signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract in free agency, has been limited in camp with a variety of relatively minor injuries. He played only 11 snaps in the Jets' preseason opener and practiced only once last week because of the quadriceps injury.
In the end, the Jets erred on the side of caution. Two other offensive starters also were inactive -- running back Chris Ivory (ribs) and tight end Jeff Cumberland (Achilles tendon).
Defensively, they were without starting cornerbacks Dee Milliner (high ankle sprain) and Dimitri Patterson (calf, quadriceps). Former safety Antonio Allen made his debut at cornerback with the starting unit.
Rookie Jalen Saunders, their top punt returner, didn't make the trip after a one-car accident Friday in New Jersey, the team said. He remains hospitalized for monitoring, coach Rex Ryan said after the game. The team declined to say what, if any injuries, he suffered.