The Rundown: Mark Sanchez Injury Status
Within the span of one week, Mark Sanchez has injured his knee in a game twice. While diving forward to get a first down against the Bills, Sanchez came up limping two plays later. Clearly, Rex Ryan isn’t all that pleased with his QB’s abandon in those situations.
“I love the kid, but he’s got to grow up and understand that he represents our entire organization, and we want what’s best for him,” Ryan said. “I know why he did it. He wouldn’t have made the first down if he would have slid, but he’s got to understand I don’t care about the first down. I care about him and he has to understand that.”
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“The kid’s got to understand we’re trying to teach him to slide,” Ryan said. “I know he’s trying to get the first down. OK, if he would have slid, we wouldn’t have gotten the first down, but we might not have had a quarterback get hurt either. He’s got to understand that it’s in the organization’s best interest to slide in and that was disappointing.
“He just has to understand, this guy is crucial for our organization’s success and he can’t be reckless. Maybe this little setback will show him how serious we are about this. I never want him diving forward. I don’t want to see that. I thought we were clear on it.”
Last night on SNY, Ray Lucas was asked about the play, and took a defense of Sanchez, talking insistently about not squashing Sanchez’s competitive spirit. On the surface, I agree with that notion, but when you factor in a consolidation of draft picks and rostered players to move up to get him, and then a $60 million contract on top of that, stopping himself from diving forwards is the least he can do to protect the team’s investment in him. We talked about this back after the Week 3 win in which Sanchez scared the bajeezus out of all of us on this play.
At the time, Dierdorf was proud, but warned “if you do [that play] enough, that play can backfire.”
Now, things look up slightly, while Sanchez felt optimistic about playing after the long week (a mini-bye if you will) Adam Sanchez Schefter reported this morning for ESPN that Sanchez hit his knee on the ground while diving forward, and that as a result Sanchez sprained the PCL on that knee. Schefter also reported that Sanchez should play at Tampa in nine days, barring any pain in the knee.
While ligament sprains are never good, the PCL seems to require less recovery than the ACL or MCL. For now, we’ll have to just stay tuned, but with the long week and it being the PCL, the Jets might be better off than thought last night.
While many have been comparing Mark Sanchez to a former legendary Jet Quarterback, maybe knee injuries will be something else that makes the analogy more complete? Man I hope not.
62 Responses to The Rundown: Mark Sanchez Injury Status
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m eazii says:
basset i think you mean adam schefter reported it not adam sanchez lol
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Zartan says:
Sanchez looks a little scrawny and should do more than a few push-ups and sit-ups. They list him about the same as Clemens(6-2 225). If thats true, he looks like he can hold more weight.
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i agree, we sit him and let him heal up for a big game against the falcons at home! its the bucs and our running game and defense should outplay the bucs, they suck! if worse comes to worse and we are losing at one point then we put sanchez in if clemens cant make a couple plays we need him to make
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abdulsalaam says:
Why is that most backups come in against he Jets and shine? Could Clemens have looked any worse? I know he’s not getting the reps in practice, but isn’t it job to be ready? I’d feel better with Brad Smith back there…
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are-tee says:
Zartan,
I don’t think extra weight would help prevent an injury like that unless it increases the fat covering the knee caps.
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nyr2k2 says:
Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I firmly believe that Sanchez made the right decision. Even knowing the eventual result–a knee injury–I’m still glad he did what he did. If the play occurred on the final drive of a game where we were trailing, and desperately needed a first down, would Sanchez still be criticized?
I understand he needs to take care of himself, but the kid is a competitor, and I like that he’s willing to take that kind of a chance to move the chains. I also don’t think it was nearly as reckless as some (Ryan included) seem to believe. It’s a play you see at least once in pretty much every NFL game.
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2g says:
Speaking generally, he definitely needs to protect himself better and slide more often, but I think he made the right play last night in that situation. It’s just unfortunate that he got hurt.
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Matt says:
Fitzpatrick did the same headfirst slide like 9 times. No injuries, nothing.
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Eli says:
Just for clarification…did Sanchez injure his right knee against Carolina also? I thought he hurt the left knee in that game?
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vurtualife says:
In Carolina it was the left knee; last night, it was the right knee [or vice-versa]
So now he essentially has both knees banged up
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JustAGreenGuy says:
Clemens was handed the ball with a two score lead, a strong running attack, and a defense that was playing lights out. He did all he had to do to not lose the game. That is all a back up is supposed to do. I think he did fine. That nearly lost fumble was bad, but Sanchez had one of those earlier in the game and every QB fumbles on a sack sometimes. We won and that is all I’m looking for.
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Crazy Eddie says:
Start Ainge vs the Bucs. I had always felt Clemens didn’t get a fair shot, but my god he looked like a frightened kid out there.
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JesusRevis says:
Clemes is awful. I will be praying for the next 10 days that Sanchez will start against the Bucs
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dave b says:
Not sure if an article is in the works, but what I want to know is:
WHO DO I ROOT FOR ON SUNDAY!??
NE @ MIAMI. Are we still going for the division win (root for miami), or is our best hope now for a wildcard (root for NE)?
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Brendan says:
Honestly, our best hope is the wild card. We need the Phins to get knocked a full game behind us because they own a tiebreaker over us.
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I don’t think there’s much of a shot at the division, especially w our division record. I’m rooting for NE.
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Dylan says:
Clemens seems like a nice guy but he is an AWFUL QB. I can’t believe we wasted a 2nd round pick on him. If Sanchise is hurt I really hope the Jets start Ainge. He just can’t be worse. Clemens has the worst pocket presence I have ever seen. He got sacked 3 times and almost got sacked another time. And the even sadder part is that he only dropped back 5 times. It now clear why Ryan has constantly stated that Sanchez gives us the best chance to win. It really blows my mind that the Jets refused to sign a veteran backup, though.
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I guess we should root for New England, but it doesn’t really matter. The Phins have a ridiculously tough schedule. They play the Pats, Jags, Titans, Texans, and Steelers. I doubt they win more than 2 more games this season.
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Davo says:
The whole “teaching to slide” thing was ridiculous, because it’s Sanchez mindset that drives his diving, rather than sliding. And I really don’t think there’s anything that can be done about it, in the short term, at least.
The idea of sitting him is a total non-starter, Jets need to win ALL remaining games to have a shot at the playoffs. Sanchez needs to be put in that situation if he’s going to learn from it.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Sanchez is apparently likely done for the season with a sprained PCL. If Clemens is our starting QB the season is over… -
Chrebookie says:
Anyone see the Kerry Rhodes segment on CNN?….
his only Highlights are the ones that are shown on CNN!
’cause every time you see him on ESPN he’s trying to play patty-cake with the person with the ball. -
Who said Sanchez is done for the year?
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SackDance99 says:
I think Sanchez does need to bulk up a bit (even if that won’t help his knees, it will help him absorb hits better) and I also thought that he made the right move to dive for the 1st down. I think the issue from Rex’s perspective is that he told his banged up QB not to take unnnecessary risks and he just decided to slide head first again. If Sanchez had been sliding all season, but went head first to get the 1st down in this instance, I think Rex would’ve been easier on him.
Can’t really compare Sanchez to Fitzpatrick, who was a running QB in college and has that dimension to his game. Also, Fitz is bulkier. Sanchez is a passer, not a runner.
Although “root” is a strong word, the Pats beating the Fins would be better…we need them to get 8 losses.
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Dylan, the ESPN report on Sanchez said he has a sprained PCL but that he’d be able to play next week if the pain didn’t bother him. Where the hell did you hear that he’s out for the season?
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janesports this on twitter:
“Sanchez has a PCL sprain. Likely done for season as a precaution, but wait and see before any moves.”It doesn’t say he is definitely done, but if he is the Jets have no shot at making the playoffs.
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Per ESPN:
Initial tests revealed Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has a sprained posterior cruciate ligament, and if he can handle the pain, he would be able to play Dec. 13 at Tampa, a source close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Friday morning.
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PCL is the least painful of the 3 cruciate ligaments, when injured. I hope our franchise QB can tough it out amid a playoff push. I guess we’ll wait and see.
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greg sec 130 says:
I can’t see the Pats losing five of their last eight games. We also want Miami knocked down a game because the rest of their games are against teams we want to lose.
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Dylan,
Dont make me more nervous than I already am!
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Likely done for season as precaution? That’s funny.
By the way, root for a tie between Pats and Phish. puts Miami behind us and also puts NE only 1.5 ahead of us (which a loss does anyway with them having tiebreaker).
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Fire Tannenbaum (WOJF) says:
Sanchez should rest up and get healthy for ATL.
If they cant beat TB with Clemens at QB they are going nowhere anyway.
PCL is much better news than previously “reported”.
You are a twit if you believe anything you get from twitter.
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jackthetexan says:
Well i’m happy, glad it wasn’t serious i could care less if he sits out the rest of the season, its risky if he goes on and plays and blows out a knee that could be career ending.
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brian311 says:
i am not a knee expert, but usually plays that result in serious knee injuries are when the knee gets flexed side to side, or hyper extended. from looking at the play, all that happened was the knee hit the ground at a straight-on angle. lets hope it is just a sprain and everything else about being out for the year is speculation.
if the pats, texans and packers can win this weekend, we can leapfrog the dolphins and be right in the mix with a handful of teams
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In fairness, I can say that you are a twit if you believe that the Jets should Fire Tannenbaum
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the steelers are the key team that needs to keep losing, we might be rooting for the phins after all when they play the steelers at seasons end.
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RevisNButthead says:
I don’t understand what’s wrong with some football fans. Approach the subject objectively.
1) Sanchez was taught by Girardi to slide with his RIGHT leg because he usually slides with his LEFT – yes, the one that was injured.
2) Sanchez made the right decision. Knowing you football fans, you would be screaming for his head if he slid and didn’t get the first down. I know for a fact that some of you are just fair weather fans and are just jumping on the bandwagon of bashing him.
3) He is a very good Quarterback considering he is a rookie, his college experience(or lack thereof), and the throws that he makes. He can make ALL the throws. That is extremely important. Once he learns how to read defenses and slows the game down he will be great.
Some of you have such unrealistic expectations and are so fixated on winning now than looking towards the future.
I’ll say it once again – Sanchez made the right decision in going head first it was just unfortunate that he was injured.
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JG in Mass says:
Off topic, but is it me, or does fitzpatrick look like someone who should be working at a 24hr 7-11?
I thought we took the wind out of their sails when clemens came in and completes a nice third and long in the 4th. I commend clemens for coming in on such short notice and playing SMART. -
Kyle says:
Sanchez did the right thing.
At some points in the game, you’re gonna have to let the kid be a man. This was one of those times.
And anyone who thinks we are starting Kellen Clemens over Sanchez because of a PCL sprain is inhaling gasoline. Clemens is lost on the field.
If Matt Stafford is starting games with a dislocated shoulder, than Mark Sanchez is starting Sunday. I don’t care if his knee is sore or not. We got a chance to make the playoffs, suck it up!
Time to decide if we’re boys or men.
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What would the reaction have been if Sanchez slid and didn’t convert the third down? Would he have been called soft, or challenged for his football knowledge in a key conversion situation?
Sucks his knee got hurt, but I saw a kid trying to make a play and keep a drive alive in a close game. Jets ended up eating 4 more minutes off the clock on that drive.
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StvDoe says:
Root for Miami. (God, I hate saying that.)
A Miami win gives us 2 possible routes to the playoffs, (division or wild card), a Pats win likely only 1 route.
Since we’ll need to win out to get there anyway, being tied with Miami shouldn’t matter.
greg,
Assumimg once again that we need to win out, we want Miami to lose to Tenn. and Hou. since we hold the tiebreaker over both of them.
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john r says:
no way, play mark against the bucs.
i wanted kellen to start the season but not now
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“If Matt Stafford is starting games with a dislocated shoulder, than Mark Sanchez is starting Sunday.”
Well put.
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greg,
Can’t argue with the “tie is best” idea, (nice out of the box thinking), but it’s hardly a likely outcome. Given the likely choices, I’m still rooting for Miami.
I agree with those who can’t fault Sanchez for trying to make a play in a critical situation.
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Theres no chance Miami beats New England, so dont waste your time “rooting” for the Dolphins
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vajet says:
Kyle, i hafta agree. if stafford played with a dislocated shoulder, Sanchez should play with a bruised knee.
i love this kid. but bassett, PLEASE, NEVER COMPARE THE LEGEND’S KNEES WITH THOSE OF THE FRANCHEZ. OH GOODNESS, the karma… although a super bowl win…………………….
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Bent says: Let’s just enjoy the fact that one of them is certain to lose on Sunday!
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Even if the Pats lose to the Dolphins, they would need to lose 2 out of their next 4 games and we would have to win out in order to take over the division. I think we should root for the Pats to win most of their games, 3 of 5 are against teams contending for a wilcard spot (Dolphins, Jags, and Texans).
If the Jets and Steelers both finish with the same record, and the Steelers lose to the Ravens I’m not sure who would get the tiebreaker. They would both have the same division record. So far the only team they have both played is the Titans. And they both have the same amount of conference losses.
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The last Jets rookie to throw for over 2000 yards was….wait for it….wait for it….
Broadway Joe
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Shouldn’t we be rooting for the Colts and Bengals to finish 1 and 2 so they rest their starters… in which case we want NE in at 3 or 4… so lets go Phins (who are screwed anyways)
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Ryan says:
cant get to upset about the dive, if he slides in that spot and comes up short of the first down then we have a “soft QB” he would of been killed for it.
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Old Rich says:
Bent,
You and Donovan McNabb must know that’s there’s always a tie. Root for NE, as horrible as that sounds. -
Chris says:
Last night I saw why Rex is so keen on Sanchez over Clemens. Clemens appeared to be more of a rookie than Sanchez. As for Sanchez he made the right move this was not a dive for a 2 or 3 yard meaningless gain it was a first down in a drive that eventually led to points on the board. I know Sanchez has not looked great but he is going to be a great QB his talent is there. Payton (Maning not eli I’m still not convinced that eli is a top QB) had a terrible first year give it time. Stick with the team even if they don’t get into the playoffs this year. Lastly go pats? or miami? I hope they both lose, can’t stand both those teams and there head coaches!
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leon's legs says:
come on im gonna b right behind the jets bench in tampa next week.. PLEASE PLAY!!! heal quickly and healthy
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greg sec 130 says:
Not rooting for bengals, want them to have a 1 game lead on us going into last game and steelers to have division
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Green Lantern says:
Why is Yahoo saying Mark Sanchez has a season ending injury?
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marty says:
I am taking my boyfriend from NY to Tampa as a birthday present to see the Sanchize play so I am praying that he is well enough to atleast play the first half.
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Bent says:
We might as well just cut out the middle man and start Weatherford.
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Max says:
Clemens looked horrible (totally lost and uncoordinated) ergo why Sanchez have started all the games and/or has not been yanked. However, knowing that, give Ainge a shot. Start him against the Bucs if things start to go south get Sanchez into the game. The Sanchez injury really has exposed the vulnerable Jets QB situation. We need a more solid dependable QB backup and Clemens is NOT it. Why we passed on Garcia I don’t know. Where is he now?, by the way.
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jon in bk says:
Chalk up another vote for “right decision” to go head first. There are times when you want Sanchez to learn to play more cautiously, but it’s not on a key 3rd down.
I don’t get why people are saying rest Sanchez w/o even having the facts of the injury. If the risk of re-injury isn’t particularly high, then you have to think Sanchez at 75% is the best option the Jets have under center.
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geoff says:
that tenny run was insane. dont think we want another mcnair, in terms of injuries (id take the talent). screw this competitive spirit quashing crap. you can be all out competitive passing for 400 yards, pull off the odd sprint up the sidelines and out of bounds, and yes, the slide on occasion.. be smart. live long and prosper.
I say we sit him THIS week just to make sure he heals properly/thoroughly.