Cromartie participated in individual drills with the receivers for the first time during practice Monday, running routes and catching passes as coaches watched him.||||||| The Jets are dealing with a number of injuries at the position, including to Holmes, so Cromartie getting time on offense and defense in a game might not be such a long shot anymore.

The New York Jets cornerback started a mini-feud earlier this week when he told "ESPN First Take" that he'd rank himself as the No. 2 wide receiver on the team, behind only Santonio Holmes.||||||| Chaz Schilens called it "a slight" and coach Rex Ryan quickly quashed any tensions by telling his players to be "mindful" of what they say in public. Cromartie, speaking about the controversy Friday for the first time, says he "didn't mean anything by it." He adds that he has no regrets about saying what he did, and that the media wanted "to blow it up."

New York Jets center Nick Mangold and cornerback Antonio Cromartie sat out practice because of injuries that could sideline them for the team's next game at Baltimore. Both players worked separately off to the side with trainers Wednesday during the 30-minute portion of practice the media are allowed to watch.||||||| Cromartie bruised his ribs and a lung during last Sunday's game against the Raiders and was examined at a hospital in the Oakland area. He appeared to move without discomfort during agility drills, but his playing status was still uncertain.

Cromartie has agreed to a four-year deal worth a reported $32 million to stay with the Jets.||||||| Cromartie, acquired last offseason from San Diego, was solid for New York opposite Darrelle Revis, finishing with 42 tackles and three interceptions. the Jets went after prized free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and were one of the favorites to land him, but Asomugha surprisingly signed with Philadelphia, leaving New York to turn to a familiar face.