Coles was injured Sunday against Buffalo and didn't practice all week. He hasn't missed a game since his rookie season in 2000 and has a string of 104 consecutive regular-season starts. He's the only NFL wide receiver to start in every game since 2001.

"I always want to play," Coles said today. "I'm wholeheartedly into it and I always feel good. I feel like if I'm able to walk then I'm able to play. With something like this, I have to let the doctors and our coaching staff do their jobs in coming up with the right decision and trust that."

Coles was injured with 7:41 left in a 13-3 loss last Sunday when he jumped to catch a pass from Chad Pennington and was hit in the middle of the back by Terrence McGee. Coles' chest and head slammed to the turf and he stayed face-down for several minutes. He eventually walked off the field but didn't return to the game.

The 29-year-old receiver, who has 42 catches for 473 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns, has been on the practice field all week — but in sweats and a cap.

"I almost came to tears yesterday just thinking that I have to sit back and wait and let somebody else decide my fate to play a game," he said. "It is what it is. I know that it's the right thing to do. I have sat and thought about it and thought about it. It's just one of those things where I truly have to wait."

Concussions have been an extremely sensitive topic for the NFL, which has recently taken steps to help teams improve awareness and treatment.

"They've shed a lot of light on it," Coles said. "We play a tough sport. It's not like I'm folding clothes for a living, I'm playing football. It's a physical sport and as a player, you understand what you're getting into when you step on the field."

Coles has built a reputation throughout his eight-year career for taking hard hits and playing through injuries. This is believed to be the second concussion the star receiver has suffered in 10 months after getting hit hard by Miami's Zach Thomas during a game last Christmas. Coles was back in the starting lineup the following weekend against Oakland.