Mark Sanchez Misses Practice, Not Ruled Out For Sunday
the New York Jets on Monday while recovering from a sprained right knee, but
coach Rex Ryan is optimistic about the rookie quarterback's chances of playing
Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Sanchez sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in the
knee while diving for a first down in New York's 19-13 win over Buffalo on
Thursday night.
"He's so much better," Ryan said. "We thought we were
going to get good news from the MRI, we did. Just the way he's approaching his
treatment and rehab and everything else, you can tell he is definitely willing.
That's for sure."
Ryan said Sanchez spent the majority of the weekend at
the team's facility rehabilitating the injury.
"Treatment, if there's 18 hours a day, that's what it
seems like," Ryan said. "He's been here the whole time. His spirits are good. I
know he expects to play. We're optimistic he'll play."
Ryan was uncertain whether Sanchez would participate in
the team's next practice Wednesday. Sanchez's red no-contact No. 6 jersey was on
the field Monday — but it was cornerback Donald Strickland, recovering from a
concussion, wearing it. Backup Kellen Clemens worked with the first-team offense
and would start if Sanchez can't go.
"He's got that time," Ryan said of Clemens. "He can be
with the 1's today. We'll progress it through the week. I think that's only a
smart thing to do."
Sanchez will initially wear a brace to stabilize the
knee, and could play with it Sunday against the Buccaneers if medically cleared.
He already wears a brace on his left knee from a previous injury.
Ryan wasn't sure if he has ever seen a quarterback play
with two knee braces.
"Did Joe Namath?" he said, laughing. "I'm not really
sure. I think [Dan] Marino might have."
The Jets (6-6) are in the middle of the AFC playoff mix
after their win over the Bills, and hope their starting quarterback won't miss
any time.
"If it's in the opinion of the medical staff that Mark
can't protect himself the way he needs to, then obviously that decision will be
easy to where he doesn't play," Ryan said. "Right now, we're feeling very good
about where he is now and I think the doctors are, too. Does it take a turn and
go south? Maybe it could, but right now we feel very good about how he's
progressing."