Before New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis can hit the open market, he’s headed for the operating table Tuesday to have the torn ligament in his left knee repaired by New York Giants team physician Russell Warren.
“It’s been hard,” Revis said Monday. “Because now you’re looking outside in, instead of inside out.
“I will want to go out there with this ACL tear, but I can’t. It’s a setback for me.”
The Jets invited the intuitive and coach-like Revis to join team and position meetings. He declined, partly because he said he didn’t want to become a distraction to other players or coaches in the meetings.
Revis was injured Sept. 23 in the third quarter of the Jets’ 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. He was back at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, seated in a private suite, as cornerback Antonio Cromartie shut down Reggie Wayne — he had two interceptions, though one was called back due to penalty — and the Jets improved to 3-3.
Revis is avoiding on-field analysis and instead focused on talking to players who have experienced similar injuries and rehabilitation. The survey indicated to Revis that he should be able to jog in the next three to four months and advance his physical activity from there.
“I just want to get back as fast as possible where I feel comfortable (to go) out there and play like I usually do,” Revis said. “I think that’s the biggest goal. If I don’t feel ready … time will tell. We really don’t know. As soon as I feel 100 percent, I’ll be ready to go whether that’s January, February, March … it doesn’t matter.”
Simply returning from a serious knee injury won’t be enough to convince the Jets that Revis is worthy of another payday, he said. With his four-year, $46 million contract due to expire after next season, Revis believes he’ll need to show the Jets he’s still the best at his position to warrant a massive contract.
“To me, there’s no question that I (will) be back to where I was in the previous years of performing and doing what I do best,” he said.
His progress will be chronicled by NFL Network and reporter Andrea Kremer as part of a documentary.
When he gets back to doing what he does best, will Revis also be back to being the best?
“If everything goes right and I do everything right with this procedure and this process for the next four to six months, yeah,” he said. “I’m a confident player. I never had an injury like this. This is all new for me as well. But, yeah, I’m a hard worker. I know I’m going to work my butt off and get back to where I need to be.”