Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson suffered minor injuries after he flipped his car over on the Garden State Parkway early Saturday, State Police said.



The second-year defensive end was headed north outside of Kenilworth when his 2011 Dodge Challenger struck the back of a 2011 Toyota Siena and overturned at 4:29 a.m. Saturday, said Trooper Christopher Kay, a spokesman for the State Police.

Wilkerson was underneath the vehicle when it landed, but managed to free himself before troopers arrived, Kay said.



He was taken to University Hospital in Newark and treated for minor injuries. A team spokesman said Wilkerson only required stitches on his forearm. He was charged with careless driving and failure to maintain a lane, both traffic tickets that carry only financial penalties, Kay said.



There was no indication that Wilkerson was under the influence at the time of the crash, according to Kay, who said there were no other injuries.



A Linden native who now resides in Livingston, Wilkerson was selected by the Jets as the 30th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He recorded three sacks, one of them for a safety, and 49 tackles during his rookie season.

"The team is aware of the car accident Saturday morning and has been in contact with Muhammad," the team spokesman said.



Wilkerson voluntarily reported to the Jets facility today to be examined by the team's doctors and should be okay in time for training camp, the team spokesman said. The Jets open training camp in Cortland, N.Y., at the end of July to start preparations for the 2012 season.