Kellen Clemens may be young and inexperienced, but the second-year QB certainly knows the toughness and courage of Laveranues Coles, the Jets’ go-to wide receiver.

“One thing about LC,” Clemens said of the eight-year vet. “If he’s cleared to go and if he’s allowed to play, he’s going to give it his all.”

Coles entered the Jets’ 12th game of the season questionable on the injury report due to an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago against Pittsburgh, landing awkwardly after a 56-yard fleaflicker reception on the second play from scrimmage.

Since Oct. 28, when Coles was removed after suffering a concussion against the Bills, the Jets' No. 1 target had been limited to four catches for 69 yards heading into Sunday’s showdown in South Florida.

After missing the Jets’ Thanksgiving contest against Dallas, Coles was used sparingly at practice all week. But his mind was on contributing to the effort against the Dolphins.

“It was something really big for me to actually just try to come back and play,” said Coles. “A lot of people would just pack it in and say, ‘I’m dealing with something and hurting and I’ll wait to heal to try to get back.’ I didn’t want to take that approach.”

“I didn’t know if he was going to play right up until gametime,” Clemens said of the Jets’ leader in touchdown receptions. “Even LC not at 100 percent is still a very good wide receiver.”

“He’s a tough guy and that’s probably the best way to describe it,” head coach Eric Mangini added. “Some guys can play with certain things and some guys can’t. He’s been working like crazy to get it to a position where he could play. I just respect his inherent toughness so much.”

And the Jets captain proved his might once again as he hauled in a game-high 69 yards on a team-leading five receptions this afternoon in Miami as the Jets crushed the winless Dolphins, 40-13.

The Jets offensive attack tested Coles’ ankle on the game’s first series. Clemens hit Coles for a 32-yard gain on a third-and-12 to put the Jets in Fish territory. Three plays later, Clemens went to Coles again on third down at the Dolphins’ 25. Needing 5 yards, the two connected for 7 despite cornerback Andre Goodman getting flagged for committing pass interference on LC.

On the ensuing play, running back Leon Washington crossed the goal line for an 18-yard rushing touchdown on a direct snap, giving the Jets offense an early boost.

“I want to do everything possible to be on the field and I’m one of those of those people where if we’re losing, we’re all losing together,” said Coles, who had three third downs receptions that were successfully converted for first downs. “If I can help this team win and try to make plays, I want to get out there and try my best.”

“Anytime LC comes up to you before the game and says ‘Hey, I’m a go,’ it definitely helps things out,” said Clemens, who completed 15 pass attempts, a third of them to Coles and the other 10 to seven other different Jets receivers.

The activation of Coles was more meaningful than his numbers this afternoon. Jerricho Cotchery, who leads the Jets in receptions and receiving yards, watched the game from home after suffering an injury to his index finger this past week in practice, thinning the receiving corps.

“Of course this hasn’t been the type of season that has turned out they way I wanted it to, but I feel like I’m one of the guys that helps motivate this team and get guys going,” said Coles.

“LC is a courageous player. To go through what he went through and to come out and play, he gave us some very meaningful snaps today,” Clemens told the media after his second win as an NFL starter. “It’s a credit to how tough of a player he is and how much of a competitor he is, to come out here in some pain and help this team get a victory.”