Jets coach Rex Ryan's decision to play Mark Sanchez in the fourth quarter of Saturday's meaningless preseason game backfired when the fifth-year quarterback suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder. Ryan has faced a barrage of criticism since, but the Jets received some (relatively) good news Sunday.
Sanchez will not play in the team's final preseason game this Thursday but his status is "day-to-day," according to NewYorkJets.com. A league source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that Sanchez has a bruised right shoulder joint.
The fifth-year quarterback, who is battling rookie Geno Smith for the starting job, reportedly didn't want to play with the Jets' backup offensive line. No matter. Ryan had a perfectly legitimate reason for sending Sanchez out there.
"We're there to win," Ryan said after the game. "We had our starting offense out there for three quarters -- we're trying to win the game, that's what we wanted to do. … We're trying to compete. Everybody's out there and injuries are part of the game. … We'll see the severity of Mark's injuries. Obviously it didn't work out the way we wanted it to, but we're here to compete."
It's only August but this team is already in shambles. The fact that the media is now backing Sanchez -- the man who brought us the "butt fumble" and was one of the league's worst quarterbacks a season ago -- tells you all you need to know about the 2013 New York Jets.
Upside: Smith, whose ragged debut included a touchdown, three interceptions and a "Wait, he just ran out of the back of the end zone?!" safety, sounded relatively upbeat after the game.
"I don't do grades, but overall I think this is just another learning experience for me," he said. "Lots of teaching tape. Felt good to be out there with my teammates, competing once again and it was a great job. It was a good team win."
Sanchez would almost certainly disagree.
