Jets coach Todd Bowles didn’t want anyone to know who would be backing up quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during the week, but he had to show his hand when it came time to hand in his list of inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Browns.
Rookie Christian Hackenberg is inactive, which means that Bryce Petty will be the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart in Cleveland. It’s the first time that Petty has been active this season as he’s healed from the shoulder injury he sustained in the preseason and the Jets are without Geno Smith after he tore his ACL.
The Jets would surely prefer that Fitzpatrick plays well enough and stays healthy enough to remain in the lineup on Sunday. Should the team decide to make a change at some point, the decision to have Petty in the No. 2 role could signal that he’d be the next man to start a game for the Jets this season.
Center Nick Mangold, cornerback Buster Skrine and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins are also inactive for the Jets, which was expected after they were listed as doubtful to play on Friday’s injury report.