Harris says he's ready to go.

[ret2ski]

By BRIAN LEWIS
NY Post
Last updated: 6:50 am
December 6, 2008

The Jets' already-stout run defense could get a boost with linebacker David Harris confident of returning to the field tomorrow in San Francisco. He was inactive the past five games with a groin injury.

"I feel I'm ready to go," said Harris. "I'm doing good. I feel a little bit better out there at practice this week. I missed the last four or five games, so it's always good to be back out there with your teammates playing the game that you love. I can't (ease back into it). I have to go out there and play up to my abilities, play like I know how to play."


Coach Eric Mangini wouldn't commit to Harris' return against the 49ers. Harris was listed as questionable, but did practice with the first team all week.

"He's had a couple of good days, (but) he had some good days last week. We're going to go through and make sure that he's as ready as possible," Mangini said. "We've waited quite a bit of time to make sure he is full-go. We won't shortchange that process. We'll go through all the days."

Harris led the Jets last year with 117 tackles, despite being a rookie and not moving into the starting lineup until midway through the season.

*

WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), LB Ahmad Carroll (foot) and S Eric Smith (head) all practiced on a limited basis and are listed as questionable.

*

FB Tony Richardson won the Jets' Walter Payton Man of the Year award and is now up for the league award.

"It's for guys that are really active in the community over a number of years, guys that really pour themselves into the community and try to give back as much as they can," Richardson said.

*

Mangini on why RB Thomas Jones has maintained his health so well at a position with such a short shelf-life: "Thomas is really outstanding in the way that he takes care of his body. That's your tool. That's what you need to have to execute your craft. He does it diligently."