Jets staffer apologizes for trip

Teams like to talk about having a “12th man,” but a member of the Jets staff seemed to take that a bit too literally Sunday.

Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi appeared to trip the Dolphins' Nolan Carroll in the third quarter when Carroll was covering a punt.

Television replays showed a staffer — later identified as Alosi — sticking out his leg as Carroll ran down the field after being forced out of bounds. Carroll was tripped up on the play.

The Jets released a statement from Alosi that said: "I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment. My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for. I spoke to coach Sparano and Nolan Carroll to apologize before they took off. I have also apologized to Woody (Johnson, Jets owner), Mike (Tannenbaum, Jets GM) and Rex (Ryan). I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows."

Carroll apparently didn't realize what had happened, telling The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., “Well, if he gets fined, give me the money.”

The Star-Ledger quoted a Jets spokesman as saying, “The team is reviewing the situation and is looking into the appropriate next step.”