Things continue to get worse for the New York Jets. The team was hoping to make a decision on their starting quarterback based on competition, but now it looks like an injury will make the decision easy for the team. As Mark Sanchez continues to nurse a shoulder injury, his chances of being ready for Week 1 are looking pretty slim.
The Jets have remained quiet about whether or not Sanchez's injury will keep him out of the season opener. The injury was suffered during the team's preseason game against the New York Giants. Head coach Rex Ryan opted to keep his potential starting quarterback in the game deep into the fourth quarter where he was leveled by a defender.
The New York Daily News reports that Sanchez's injury is worse than being reported by the team and it is looking very likely that he will be out for that opening game. Sanchez's deep shoulder bruise on his throwing shoulder has come under plenty of scrutiny. Many have questioned why Sanchez was playing at that point in the game in the first place. Ryan remained adamant that it was the right decision, something Sanchez echoed.
"I'm not here to second-guess the coaches," Sanchez said, via NFL.com. "If they call you to play, you better be ready to play, and I was. So I went in and played and tried to win. Look, I'm a competitor. And as a player, it's not my job to worry about when you're going in, who's in, what string, this or that. If they call your number, you've got to play and that's what I do, that's what I've always done."
Now, the "right decision" could lead to rookie Geno Smith getting a baptism by fire against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith has been inconsistent during his time in the preseason. He has shown signs of promise while also struggling with turnovers. Smith was held out of the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sanchez is currently listed as day to day, but according to reports, there is an understanding that Smith will be named the starter by default. Behind Smith, the Jets have Greg McElroy who is struggling with a knee injury. They have backup Graham Harrell that has a small amount of NFL experience under his belt. Matt Simms is also an option, but again he has no game experience.
Smith and Sanchez were relatively even during the quarterback competition in training camp. Many believed Sanchez would get the start based on experience, but now that might not be the case.
