Curtis Martin is done donning his helmet and pads, according to a newspaper report. The Newark Star-Ledger on Monday reported that the veteran Jets running back will not be returning this season and is very close to ending his career.

On Thursday, while speaking to reporters about his situation for the first time since the start of the regular season, Curtis Martin was vague regarding what his future holds, seemingly unsure himself about whether he'll ever practice or play again. In what was the most sobering comment of all, when he was asked if he will "definitely" practice the week after the Cleveland game, Martin said, "Definitely is not a word I'm going to use. Hopefully is the word that I will use."

Curtis Martin is now eligible to come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as of today, and his first practice could be Wednesday. His return, however, remains uncertain. Martin has a three-week window beginning today to return to the practice field, and a three-week window that begins the day he returns to practice to be added to the active roster. Theoretically, Martin could be on the field against the Lions on Sunday.

Although some in the Jets organization fear his career is over, RB Curtis Martin is expected to attempt a return to practice as early as next week, when he's eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list, according to two people with knowledge of Martin's rehab. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement on Martin's future has been made. Martin, who has a bone-on-bone condition in his right knee, was placed on the PUP list in August. He has been rehabbing and attending meetings all season. He's eligible to come off the PUP list on Monday. When he does come off the list, the Jets will then have 21 days in which to activate him. If they don't activate him during that time, Martin will go on the injured reserve list and be out for the season. "The Jets aren't sure if Curtis can do it but out of respect for him, they're going to give him every opportunity," one person said. "They feel they owe it to Curtis. They want him to retire as a Jet and go into the Hall of Fame as a Jet."

New York Jets running back Cedric Houston was downgraded Saturday from doubtful to out with a left knee injury and did not accompany the team for its game at Jacksonville.

Former NFL running back Dave Meggett resigned from his post as the city's recreation and parks director a month after he was charged with raping his former girlfriend. Meggett, who played 10 seasons with the New York Jets, New England Patriots and New York Giants, thanked the town Wednesday for the opportunity, adding that "it's apparent I will no longer be able to complete my duties with the town of Robersonville."

According to someone with knowledge of his medical status, Jets running back Cedric Houston suffered what is believed to be a hyperextended left knee late in the third quarter of yesterday's 31-28 loss to the Colts at Giants Stadium. He will undergo an MRI today.

Peyton Manning watched the fourth-quarter lead his Colts had just taken vanish in a flash when the Jets returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards. Cool, calm and ever the leader, the Colts quarterback just jogged back on the field with a little more than 2 minutes left and took charge. "There truly never was any panic," Manning said. "When they ran the kickoff back, we were just getting back on the bench. We didn't have time to get mad or to panic." They certainly had plenty of time to ruin the Jets' victory plans. After Justin Miller's 103-yard dash gave New York the lead with 2:20 left, Manning led Indianapolis on the type of efficient drive that has defined his career -- capping it with a 1-yard run that gave the Colts a wild 31-28 victory Sunday.