AP

If the New York Jets are going to win in Denver on Thursday night, they’ll have to do it without LaDainian Tomlinson.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that Tomlinson, who suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee on Sunday, won’t play against the Broncos.

In Tomlinson’s absence, rookie running back Bilal Powell will be active for the first time. The Jets took Powell out of Louisville in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft. Starter Shonn Greene will likely see an increased workload.

Tomlinson is second on the Jets in rushing, with 46 carries for 167 yards this season, and fourth on the Jets in receiving, with 25 catches for 312 yards.