Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 03:08 PM

Cotchery misses Jets' practice; Sheppard, Strickland return

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury, and his status for this weekend's game against the Buffalo Bills is uncertain.

Cotchery sat out two days of practice last week, but he played Monday night at Miami and had one catch for 4 yards despite being in for about 30 snaps. Jets coach Rex Ryan said he's concerned about the injury and added that Cotchery likely wouldn't practice Thursday.

"We'll see how he feels," Ryan said of Cotchery's availability for the game against the Bills. "That's his decision. I'm never going to force a player to play if he doesn't feel right. We'll see how he does."

Wide receiver Brad Smith (quadriceps), right tackle Damien Woody (right foot) and defensive end Shaun Ellis (bruised knee) also didn't practice Wednesday.

Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard (right quadriceps) and Donald Strickland (right ankle) both returned to practice, but they were limited. They haven't played since being injured during a Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots.

Sheppard said he's ready to start Sunday against the Bills and was prepared to play against the Dolphins, but the Jets wanted to give him extra time to heal for this week.

"I'm going to be ready 100 percent," Sheppard said. "When I came back, we wanted to be sure that I was going to be able to perform at the level I left off at and not have any setbacks."