As expected, Jets name Pennington their starting quarterback

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets quarterback Chad Pennington won the starting job Tuesday, but he will be missing a key member of the offense when the regular season starts.

Running back Curtis Martin will start the year on the physically-unable-to-perform list with a lingering knee injury after missing all of training camp. Coach Eric Mangini made both announcements, which seemed to be foregone conclusions.

Pennington, coming off two major shoulder injuries, was in a four-man competition to regain the job that was his before he got hurt. The move comes more than 10 months after he underwent his latest operation on his right rotator cuff -- a triumph for the hardworking Pennington, whom many thought might never start again.

He took control early in camp, outshining Patrick Ramsey, Kellen Clemens and Brooks Bollinger. Pennington started both preseason games he played in after missing one to go home to Tennessee to be with his ailing father.

Ramsey, Clemens and Bollinger now are competing for the backup job. Pennington won't play in the preseason finale against Philadelphia on Friday night, but will be under center Sept. 10 against Tennessee.

The Jets believe Chad Pennington's shoulder is strong enough to start the season. (Getty Images)

"It's become really clear to me he's distinguished himself in the way I was looking for," Mangini said. "He's made great progress in the preseason, especially over the last couple weeks.

"That consistency I've been looking for has been there, his presence, his ability to move the team, his leadership, all those things I've been looking for. He's done an outstanding job. It's clear to me he should be the starter, and he will be."

Martin underwent surgery in December but has been slow to recover. He was placed on the PUP list before training camp started so he could continue to rehab, but Mangini said there hasn't been enough progress for him to start practicing.

The 33-year-old Martin, No. 4 on the NFL's all-time rushing list, will be eligible to return in Week 6 at the earliest.

"He's really worked as hard as you can possibly work and we've worked as hard as we possibly can work to hopefully get him ready for opening day," Mangini said. "It's just became clear that's not an option. You have now this window for him to keep working and for us to keep working together to achieve our objective and get him back on the field as quickly as possible."

Knowing Martin wouldn't be ready, the Jets traded for San Francisco running back Kevan Barlow last week. Barlow, Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston are expected to shoulder the load of the running game.

Mangini also said Trey Teague was taken off the PUP list and added to the active roster. Teague hurt his ankle during offseason workouts in the spring.