Joe Lacalandra contributed to this report 

Dee Milliner, who has dealt with a cornucopia of injuries this year, will miss the remainder of the 2014-2015 season after rupturing his achilles tendon versus the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was the first to confirm the severity.  

On the Broncos first possession of the game, quarterback Peyton Manning marched Denver to the New York 20 yard line before the drive stalled.


On the ensuing field goal attempt, Milliner came in off the edge. Upon the snap, Milliner attempted to rush the field, but stumbled right as the play began.

Milliner regained his balance and continued the play, but then quickly fell to the ground and grabbed his right ankle. The Jets announced in the press box that Milliner had suffered an “ankle” injury and was out for the remainder of the game.

Further tests confirmed that Milliner had ruptured his achilles. According to Lermagazine.com, a study was conducted in 2010 that found the average time table for an NFL player to return from a torn achilles is 11 months.

Milliner, 23, was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. New York used the No. 9 overall pick in the draft on Milliner, expecting him to fill the void of recently-traded Darrelle Revis. In his final two collegiate seasons at Alabama, Milliner appeared to be the perfect replacement.

As a sophomore and junior, Milliner intercepted five passes, recorded 81 tackles and had 33 passes defensed.

In his final season, Milliner was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.

Despite his success in college, Milliner struggled early his rookie season. A shoulder injury in college caused him to miss minicamp, then a hamstring injury caused him to miss an additional three games. He was benched twice by head coach Rex Ryan.

“He's close to being the player we want,” Ryan said last year. “I will say this” By the time the season's over, I think he will be the best rookie corner and playing better than any rookie corner in this year's draft. I don't think there's any doubt. We anticipate that.

“He was the No. 1 cornerback selected, but that's how we feel about him. I think he's close. I really do.”

Milliner responded during the final four games of the regular season. According to ProFootballFocus.com, in weeks 14-17, a quarterback's rating when attacking Milliner was: 39.6, 96.9, 51.4, 36.2 in those closing four games.

He finished the season allowing 51.5% of the passes thrown his way to be completed and a quarterback's rating to be a cumulative 86.6.

This offseason, Milliner set high expectations for himself entering year two. When asked who the best cornerback in the NFL is, Milliner said, well, himself.

“”The best corner in the league? Me,” Milliner told the New York Daily News. “I ain't gonna say that somebody else is better than me.

“I'm not going to say somebody that plays the same position is better than me. Don't care if they've been in the league 10 years and I've been here five moths. That's how it's going to go. I'm the best. I'm not going to say that another many that pays the same position...and say he's better than me? I can't do that.”

Prior to suffering Sunday's season-ending injury, Milliner had dealt with several other nagging ailments. On Aug. 10, he suffered a high ankle sprain in training camp that caused him to miss several weeks. He returned for the Jets second game of the season versus the Green Bay Packers, but suffered a quad injury.

Milliner missed the Jets' games versus the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions before returning against the San Diego Chargers. Quarterback Phillip Rivers threw at Milliner four times, completing two for nine yards.

With Milliner out for the season, New York will most likely turn to Darrin Walls and Phillip Adams in relief. Safety/Cornerback Antonio Allen is also an option. Adams started opposite Milliner versus Denver and Walls filled in when Milliner was lost with the injury.