Mark Sanchez's second opinion confirms labral tear, likely out for Jets' season
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will likely miss the season after a second opinion Wednesday confirmed the labral tear in his right shoulder. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Quarterback Mark Sanchez received a second opinion on his shoulder, and it confirmed a labral tear that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season if he decides to undergo surgery.
According to a report Thursday from Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Dr. James Andrews confirmed the diagnosis Wednesday and said the Jets QB is "likely to have surgery" that would effectively end his season, and perhaps his career, in New York. According to the report, Sanchez will likely make the decision this week on whether to have surgery.
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Sanchez texted ESPN late Wednesday night with his thoughts on the latest development:
"If I needed surgery right now, I never would have left Andrews' office. I would've stayed and got the surgery."
A conflicting report from the New York Daily News indicated Thursday that Sanchez will opt to hold off on surgery for now and instead move forward with rehabbing the shoulder without any medical procedures. He will have a "week-to-week evaluation," according to the Daily News, and consider surgery if standard rehab doesn't prove to be the effective route in returning him to the field.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury Aug. 24 behind a second-team offensive line against the New York Giants when defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who was on the preseason squad for the Giants but cut days later, hit him near the left sideline. Jets head coach Rex Ryan kept Sanchez in with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter because he said he wanted to win the preseason game. As Mortensen reports, Jets owner Woody Johnson hinted that Sanchez was partially to blame for the injury because he failed to protect himself.
In the meantime, rookie Geno Smith will continue to man the offense as quarterback of the team. Smith helped lead the Jets to an 18-17 victory Sunday over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will face Tom Brady and the Patriots in Foxborough on Thursday night.
