Injuries to key Jets players could shape this week's game with the Rams

Friday will be here before you know it, and with the end of the week comes the first game, preseason variety, of the new-look St. Louis Rams. We need to start getting ready. With only so many hours in the day, a family, a job, a Rams blog, and a penchant for malty, hoppy beverages, I don't spend much time following the New York Jets of New Jersey. So, let's start previewing this week's preseason opener with a quick look at what's going on with the Jets this season.

Though they won't face each other, for obvious reasons, this game features two of the league's best centers in the Jets' Nick Mangold and the Rams' Jason Brown. A first round pick in 2006 (29th overall), Mangold and guard Alan Faneca give the Jets an imposing middle, which should be a good test for the Rams defensive line. Unless of course, Mangold can't play this week. The Jets center hurt his knee in practice this weekend. He's expected to be fine, but is still being held out of practice. No word on whether or not he'll play Friday or how much time he'll see in the preseason opener.RT Damien Woody is also dealing with a minor injury.

On the other line, another Jets keystone player is sitting out. NT Kris Jenkins, another of last year's big offseason additions, injured his calf the first day of camp. He is unlikely to play in the game this week. Too bad, Jenkins would be a good matchup for the middle of the Rams o-line, a chance to test Brown's Haynesworth theory. Former Seahawks backup DT Howard Green will see plenty of time replacing Jenkins this week.

Then, of course, there's the news that Kellen Clemens will start at QB, over Mark Sanchez, this week. And, the Leon Washington holdout continues.