Mark Sanchez has season-ending shoulder surgery

Sanchez attempted to avoid surgery, opting for several weeks of rehab. The effort didn’t succeed, however, and Sanchez was advised by Dr. James Andrews that he would need surgery to repair his shoulder.

“I’m very disappointed that I can’t be out there to help my team on the field, but I’ll continue to help our team in whatever capacity I can,” Sanchez said in a statement released by the team. “I want to thank Dr. Montgomery, Dr. Andrews, Dr. Burns and Jets trainer John Mellody for helping me through this process and advising me along the way. All doctors expect a full recovery and I look forward to getting back on the field. Until then, Go Jets!”

Sanchez suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of New York’s third preseason game. At the time, he was in the midst of a starting quarterback competition with Geno Smith. The injury opened the door for Smith to take the starting job and he has played well at times this season.

The Jets initially placed Sanchez on injured reserve with the designation to return, leaving the door open for him to play this season if the rehab was successful. While the injury will end his season, it may also mark the end of his career in New York. Smith is likely to be New York’s starter going forward and the Jets can release Sanchez before next season and save more than $8 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac.

Assuming he is recovered in time, Sanchez could find his way into another starting quarterback battle with a new team next season. At the very least, he is likely to land a backup job.

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