The New York Jets quarterback situation took yet another turn after potential starter Mark Sanchez went down with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarterback of the Jets' preseason game against the Giants. Many NFL experts questioned why Sanchez was in the game during the fourth quarter in the first place. Head coach Rex Ryan was flooded with questions after the game, resulting in the coach losing his cool a bit.
Sanchez is currently listed as day-to-day after suffering the right shoulder injury. The Jets did not provide too many details on the issue other than Sanchez would be ruled out of the preseason finale. He underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a bruised shoulder.
The injury took place with 11 minutes remaining in the game, a time when normally the third-string quarterback is playing. He was sacked by Marvin Austin after scrambling outside the pocket. He clutched his shoulder immediately. Ryan claimed Sanchez was in the game because he wanted to beat the Giants...in the preseason.
"I wouldn't have put Mark in if it wasn't important," Ryan said, via ESPN.com.
When pressed to name a starting quarterback, Ryan told reporters he did not have to answer that question and the team would make the decision at the appropriate time. The head coach continued to not answer any other questions from reporters regarding the Sanchez situation and the progress of rookie quarterback Geno Smith. At one point he turned his back to reporters and said he could say anything he wants.
Smith earned the start for the third preseason game. He failed to make the most of the opportunity, throwing two interceptions in the first quarter alone. Smith earned two starts this preseason. While he has yet to look overly impressive on the field, the Jets seem to want the rookie to win the starting job. Smith completed 16 of 30 passes for 199 yards and a total of three interceptions. Those mistakes could haunt him if Sanchez gets healthy in time.
The Jets quarterback depth chart is looking pretty banged up. Third-stringer Greg McElroy is suffering from ankle and knee injuries. He saw one start last season and would be a lock to see the field more if he were not injured. Matt Simms is the only healthy one at the time and he is not a reliable option.
The Jets have some time to figure things out, but not much. Smith will get the final preseason start this weekend. If he continues to turn the ball over, Jets fans better hope Sanchez's shoulder injury is not serious.
