The New York Jets will open their season on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without the help of fifth-year veteran Mark Sanchez, as Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports he will miss the team's Week 1 game with a shoulder injury he sustained in preseason.
Mark Sanchez injury: Jets QB likely out for Week 1
Sanchez suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder in preseason and will likely be replaced by rookie Geno Smith for the regular season opener.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
There's speculation that Sanchez, 26, wouldn't have been the team's starter regardless, but that was never confirmed by Jets head coach Rex Ryan who never officially declared a winner in the team's "ongoing" quarterback competition between Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith. If Sanchez isn't available Week 1, he won't have to.
A first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Sanchez earned praise early in his career as he led the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Games in his first two seasons in the NFL. In 2010, he led all quarterbacks with six game-winning drives en route to an 11-5 season for the team. Since then, Sanchez has drawn criticism for his lack of development and, most recently, possible regression.
Sanchez injured his throwing shoulder during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the New York Giants after completing 5-of-6 passes. The Jets signed veteran QB Brady Quinn on Monday and currently have four quarterbacks on the roster.
More from SB Nation NFL:
See More:
