Coach Rex Ryan says he won’t let anyone dictate how much Tim Tebow will play, but Mark Sanchez’s back could wind up making the decision for him.
Sanchez popped up on the Jets’ injury report for Wednesday’s practice with a low back injury. Sanchez was able to participate in practice fully and Ryan said he doesn’t know when the quarterback first started feeling the pain. Sanchez took some hits during Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, but the one that stands out was a blow around the head from linebacker Lawrence Timmons as opposed to anything directed at the back.
“That’s just tightness in his back,” Ryan said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “It’s really not a big deal but I’m sure it will be listed as a big deal.”
Given the fact that Sanchez practiced fully, it probably isn’t a big deal. The same can’t be said of cornerback Darrelle Revis’ ongoing quest to get back on the field after a concussion. Revis has been cleared for physical activity, so he practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday but he still hasn’t been given the go-ahead to resume contact. Until that happens, the Jets will have to prepare as if they won’t have Revis back in the lineup against the Dolphins this week.
That’s probably the way to approach tight end Dustin Keller and linebacker Bryan Thomas as well. Both men missed the Steelers game with hamstring injuries and neither one practiced on Wednesday.