The New York Jets will open their 2011 NFL preseason Monday night at Reliant Stadium against the Houston Texans. The game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
After two straight seasons of reaching the AFC Championship Game the Jets begin a third straight year of hunting the elusive Super Bowl title that has been promised by head coach Rex Ryan.
Newly-signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress will not play Monday for the Jets, as he is nursing an ankle injury. Ryan has said he expects his starters to play approximately the first quarter.
Ryan is looking forward to the opportunity to see his team in live action.
“This is when the cream rises to the top. Guys you think look great on the practice field, they’re doing great, they’re doing great and you don’t see it on the game field. Some guys that maybe you’re not sure about, all of a sudden, elevate their play,” Ryan said. “That’s the exciting part about these games, when you see your young players, in particular, this first preseason game. It’s kind of weird, you see it the first and the last preseason game. Those are the ones that go a long way to see who makes your football team or not.”