FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets star Darrelle Revis, widely regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL, tore the ACL in his left knee and will require season-ending surgery.

A Monday morning MRI exam confirmed the Jets' worst fears, leaving their struggling defense without its best player. Revis will wait two to three weeks before having the surgery, the team said. The usual recovery time for ACL surgery is six to nine months.

A somber Rex Ryan made the announcement at his noon news conference, admitting he had a hunch the MRI would reveal bad news after talking with a downcast Revis on the team's flight home from South Florida. He said the team doctor indicated after the game it was likely a significant injury.

"Is it a major blow when you lose a great player like Darrelle Revis? Of course, absolutely it is," Ryan said. "But this is a football team."

Ryan stopped short of saying Revis will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, but that's only a formality at this point. The Jets made a flurry of roster moves Monday, leaving them with 52 players. There will be a second opening once they put Revis on IR.

Revis, who returned to action Sunday after missing Week 2 with a concussion, was injured late in the third quarter of the Jets' 23-20 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins.

It was a non-contact injury on the grass surface; his left knee buckled as he tried to get into position to tackle running back Daniel Thomas on a screen pass. Revis went down on a cut block by center Mike Pouncey, but the injury occurred before the block, according to Ryan.

"It's terrible. It's terrible for us and it's terrible for him," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "It's football. It's next man up."

2010 first-round pick Kyle Wilson, the nickelback, will replace Revis in the starting lineup. Beyond Wilson and fellow starter Antonio Cromartie, the Jets are thin at cornerback. Ellis Lankster moves into the No. 3 role -- for now.