It has become apparent, if not officially acknowledged, that Mark Sanchez won’t play this week because of his shoulder injury.
But there are increasing signs it might be longer than that, and perhaps permanent as it pertains to his career as Jets starter.
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Sanchez is expected to miss at least the first two weeks and perhaps longer. He hasn’t even thrown a ball since injuring his right shoulder on Aug. 24, and may not soon to keep from making the injury worse.
“I’m trying, I’m trying,” Sanchez said Monday, holding out hope. “We’ll make a good push this week and see where I’m at. You just want to take this thing slow, take it the right way, make the right progression without reinjuring yourself.”
Their schedule’s also a factor, as this week’s opener against the Bucs is followed by a short-week game against the Patriots the following Thursday.
The 10-day break before they play the Bills in Week Three might be the next window for Sanchez. But if rookie Geno Smith plays well in the next two weeks, with coaches apparently leaning his way now, two weeks might be too late for Sanchez, and the inevitable parting would begin playing itself out.