Jets RB Greene says foot better, he's 'good to go'

Shonn Greene's foot is ready for football again.

The New York Jets running back missed the team's 27-7 win over Cincinnati on Sunday night because of an infection that caused his foot to swell last week. He said Tuesday the foot is feeling fine and he expects to play in the Jets' next preseason game against the Giants on Saturday night.

''I'm good to go,'' he said after the team's morning walkthrough.

Coach Rex Ryan also anticipates Greene playing Saturday. Greene, who'll be the starter this season, practiced for the first time since last Thursday as he went through individual and team drills.

The team initially called it a ''low-grade skin infection,'' but Greene specified that a corn between two of his toes got infected. Greene was never concerned that the infection would be a serious condition that could affect his availability the rest of the preseason.

''I think it was just a media thing that everybody gets all hyped up about,'' he said.

Greene was treated with antibiotics and was told to stay off his feet to prevent further swelling and irritation.

''It was nothing with the skin,'' he said. ''It was between the toes. I know there were stories flying here and there. It wasn't anything that was as bad as everyone made it seem.''

The infection was discovered last week when Greene was having a callus removed. When the news first came out that Greene had a skin infection, some wondered if it could be a staph infection - something that has been an occasional problem in NFL locker rooms in recent years.

''It was nothing like that,'' Greene said.

He watched the game from his home in New Jersey, itching to be out on the field, even if it was just preseason.

''It was kind of boring because I wasn't there and I felt like I was supposed to be there,'' he said. ''It was kind of weird.''

The Jets' running game struggled with the first-team offense against the Bengals, rushing for just 16 yards - all by LaDainian Tomlinson - with Greene sidelined. New York's final rushing numbers, 156 yards, ended up being solid. But, almost half of them came on one play when Chris Jennings ran for 69 yards right before the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter.

''Right now, we probably need to run the ball a little better,'' Ryan said.

Despite the Jets wanting Mark Sanchez to air things out a little more this season, especially with Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason all here, Ryan insists the team will stick to its offensive blueprint.

''Our mentality is never going to change,'' he said. ''Ground-and-pound is something I always want to do. Being able to run the football is how you can win in this league.''

Meanwhile, Ryan said backup quarterback Mark Brunell (strained right calf) and guard Trevor Canfield (left knee) would be sidelined for practice. Brunell missed the game after being injured in practice Friday, but Ryan thinks he'll be fine by the start of the regular season.

Tight end Jeff Cumberland (left knee/hamstring) didn't practice, while nose tackle Sione Pouha (left knee) and linebacker Nick Bellore (right calf) took part only in individual and position drills. Mason (left knee), linebacker Bart Scott (left leg), defensive end Marcus Dixon (left knee), linebacker Calvin Pace (left groin) and right guard Brandon Moore, who hasn't played this preseason while recovering from offseason hip surgery, all participated in most team drills.

Offensive lineman Rob Turner, who broke his right leg in the preseason opener at Houston, will be out ''several weeks,'' according to Ryan, but won't be put on injured reserve yet.

Notes: Ryan said playing the Giants in preseason isn't as big a deal this summer because the teams play in Week 16 of the regular season. ''If we weren't playing each other in the regular season, it would be because there's more bragging rights,'' he said. ... Ryan said he was ''confused'' by comments made by former defensive end Vernon Gholston, now with Chicago, after the Bears' preseason loss to the Giants on Monday night. Gholston told reporters he didn't think he necessarily got a fair shot with the Jets in three seasons - which included no sacks - after being the No. 6 overall pick. ''I don't agree with him on that,'' Ryan said. ''My job isn't to make one player better or to feature one player.'' Gholston was cut by the Jets before the lockout, and reportedly said he thought Ryan had preconceived ideas of what kind of player he was before he became coach - something Ryan didn't dispute. ''I thought he was getting better,'' Ryan added. ''Do I think he'll ever be Deacon Jones? No, but I'm pretty comfortable with myself. Nobody likes to hear negative comments or whatever, but if that's how he feels, that's how he feels.''