Jets' Bowles says Petty has bruised shoulder, Smith No. 2 QB

NEW YORK (AP) Bryce Petty's right shoulder escaped serious injury. The New York Jets' second-year quarterback now has to wait to see if he survives final roster cuts.

Coach Todd Bowles announced Friday during a conference call that Petty has a bruised shoulder and an MRI exam revealed no structural damage.

Bowles also acknowledged that Petty will not be placed on injured reserve before the team makes its final cuts to get down to the maximum 53 players by 4 p.m. EDT Saturday.

''No, it's too early to tell,'' Bowles said. ''We're still waiting to see the recovery time. We're going to assess him this week and we'll see how it goes with treatment.''

That means Petty could still be a candidate to go on IR, just not before cutdown day. The Jets have entertained keeping four quarterbacks, and many fans and media speculated that placing Petty on IR would provide that opportunity.

With Petty's status uncertain, Bowles said it's ''fair to say'' Geno Smith solidified the No. 2 job behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. The team also has rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-round draftee. Bowles said the Jets have not yet determined whether all four quarterbacks would make the team, although it would appear only Petty's spot would be in jeopardy.

''We have not yet met today,'' the coach said. ''We're going to meet at 5 o'clock, and we'll probably be here all night.''

Smith's spot as Fitzpatrick's backup appeared secure when Bowles decided to not play him in the preseason finale Thursday night against Philadelphia. Petty started and lasted until late in the first quarter, when he was injured when he was hit after throwing a 44-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson.

Bowles acknowledged the Jets have several other difficult decisions to make over the next 24 hours, including at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive back and tight end.

''There's going to be some tough cuts,'' he said.

Starting right tackle Breno Giacomini (back) has missed all of training camp, and Bowles acknowledged he could start the season on the physically unable to perform list.

''It's just about how he's feeling day by day,'' Bowles said. ''With a back, you never know. Obviously, if he's not practicing this week by a certain day, there will probably be a good chance he won't play.''

The inexperienced Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale have been competing at Giacomini's spot, and neither has outperformed the other at this point.

''I still don't have an answer for you,'' Bowles said. ''I saw good from both of them and I saw bad from both of them. I saw some things that they can work on. We'll alternate them during the week and we'll probably go right up until game day, if Breno can't play.''

Bowles acknowledged general trade talk, without specifically mentioning positions, with teams calling the Jets and them calling around, ''doing our due diligence.'' He said most of that, though, is just ''chatter'' at this point.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL