Antwan

Barnes

A part-time pass rusher and special teamer in Baltimore the past few years, Barnes joined with new LT Jared Gaither to get revenge on his former team. Despite limited snaps in a rotation with Travis LaBoy, Barnes is up to 11 sacks as Pro Football Focus’ eighth-rated 3-4 outside linebacker.

The Chargers had been targeting Week 11 for Phillips to rejoin the lineup, but it appears that was overly optimistic. In Phillips’ absence, Antwan Barnes has been starting opposite Travis LaBoy. Barnes has more than picked up the slack with four sacks and a forced fumble in his last three games.

Barnes says he felt the hamstring “pop” while covering a fourth quarter punt. He will have an MRI on Friday, but the early signs are “positive.” Barnes says its “nothing major” and he “should be fine.” A hamstring “popping” is never a positive development. The six-year veteran is part of the rotation at outside ‘backer but is more of a special teams cog.

G Reggie Wells has been signed in a corresponding roster move. A reserve defensive end and special teamer, Barnes first injured his hamstring in Week 9, and aggravated it on Sunday. A six-year veteran, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

The Ravens’ 2007 fourth-round pick, Barnes began his career playing in Rex Ryan’s Baltimore defense. Barnes could add some juice to New York’s pass rush, but they’re reportedly only willing to offer roughly $2M per year.

Wilson considers Barnes, 28, a fallback option for clubs that swing and miss on Paul Kruger or Cliff Avril. After recording 11 sacks in a 2011 reserve role, Barnes was limited to three last year in San Diego. He should be affordable.

28-year-old Barnes is a situational defender and special teamer, but he has 14 sacks over the past two seasons and gives the Jets much-needed juice as an edge pass rusher in sub-packages. Considering the Jets’ lack of outside-edge rushers, it’s not out of the question that Barnes will get a legitimate chance to start. He began his career playing in Rex Ryan’s Baltimore defenses.

The Jets fail to land another player. New York was reportedly only willing to offer Barnes $2 million per year, and he’s better off seeing what else is out there. Barnes has 14 sacks over the last two seasons.

The sides talked earlier in the week, but discussions haven’t gotten off the ground. Barnes has been mainly a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’d play end in Miami. The Jets hosted Barnes for a visit this week, but he left without a deal.

It’s a hairline fracture for Coples, and it’s not expected to require surgery. Last year’s first-round pick, Coples suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping to swat a Chad Henne pass. Antwan Barnes will fill in at outside ‘backer while Coples is out. Barnes is actually a more explosive edge rusher than Coples, but this is still a big blow to the Jets’ defense. Coples can play multiple positions and is a force versus the run. He’s unlikely to be ready for Week 1.