The
New York Jets might have to plan for the start of the regular season without
Mark Sanchez.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday on "NFL Total Access" that Sanchez is viewed as
unlikely to be ready for
Week 1, according to several sources involved in the situation.
Sanchez is dealing with a deep shoulder bruise and has yet to throw since suffering the injury last
Saturday against the
New York Giants. The
Jets still view the injury as day-to-day, but the organization is concerned he could be
out of action beyond Week 1.
According to Rapoport, there is a growing understanding rookie quarterback
Geno Smith will start against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 8. Smith was held out of the
Jets'
preseason finale against the
Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, though he was moving well while going through pregame warmups with quarterbacks coach David Lee.
Given the controversy that came with
Rex Ryan's decision to play Sanchez in the fourth quarter against the
Giants, the quarterback's "day-to-day" designation feels like the team's way of playing down the seriousness of an injury that was easily avoidable.
Either way, the door is now wide open for Smith. The rookie is a safe bet to hold onto the starting job if he can lead the team without calamity against the Bucs. We'll see about that.