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Jets looking for help on injury-plagued offensive line

Breno Giacomini could start Sunday in place of injured tackle Brent Qvale. Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- With the New York Jets dealing with several injuries, including multiple issues on the offensive line, offensive tackle Breno Giacomini could be activated off the PUP list for Sunday’s game in Cleveland and might step directly into the starting lineup, Jets coach Todd Bowles said Friday.

Seven-time Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold was listed as doubtful with an ankle injury Friday, as was right tackle Brent Qvale (neck). In addition, left tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) is questionable to face the Browns.

Linebackers Bruce Carter (quad) and Darron Lee (ankle) are already ruled out for Sunday. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) and cornerback Buster Skrine (knee) are doubtful and defensive end Mo Wilkerson (ankle) is questionable.

Mangold, the Jets’ best offensive lineman, would miss just the fifth game of his 11-year career if he is unable to play. He would be replaced by Wesley Johnson, a third-year player out of Vanderbilt. Bowles said if Clady can’t go, Ben Ijalana would take his spot at left tackle and if Qvale is also out, the team is discussing whether Giacomini could be activated and step in at right tackle.

“We haven’t made a decision on [Giacomini]," Bowles said. “If he can’t play, we’ll see how Clady is feeling."

Clady, who earlier in the week looked as if he would be ruled out, is trending in the right direction. He practiced on a limited basis Friday, and if he can play, then the team could play Ijalana at right tackle if it decides not to activate Giacomini.

Meanwhile, with Skrine doubtful, Marcus Williams would likely start at corner opposite Darrelle Revis, though who would play the slot corner position is unknown. Julian Stanford would start in place of Lee, the Jets’ first round pick, at linebacker.

Also eligible to come off the PUP list is receiver Devin Smith, their 2015 second-round draft pick out of Ohio State, who has been recovering from a torn ACL.

“It’s a matter of healthy bodies, and what we may need on special teams, what we may not need on offense and those things like that," Bowles said about whether Smith might be activated. “It’s not just him involved; it’s a bunch of people involved, and a lot of moving parts there. But he’s been working hard and he’s been playing [at practice]."

Wilkerson, who didn’t play in the Jets’ victory last Sunday over the Baltimore Ravens, practiced on a limited basis Friday.