Jets’ QB ‘definitely optimistic’ he'll play
Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks he’ll be back under center Sunday. The Jets quarterback just needs his sprained left knee to heal in a hurry. “I’m definitely optimistic that I’ll be able to go out there and play,” he said.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. » Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks he’ll be back under center Sunday.
The New York Jets quarterback just needs his sprained left knee to heal in a hurry.
“I’m definitely optimistic that I’ll be able to go out there and play,” he said. “And I am going to do everything I can from now until then to make sure that happens.”
Fitzpatrick was injured Sunday at Miami in the third quarter of New York’s 27-23 loss, but returned to finish the game while wearing a brace on the knee. He said he would again wear a brace on Sunday against Los Angeles if he plays.
“I mean, it’s a knee sprain,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s not something that I’m happy is there or feels great. But I think I’ll be OK.”
He was limited at practice Wednesday, and coach Todd Bowles said the team will monitor him throughout the week.
“He threw the ball around,” Bowles said. “He didn’t run around as much, so we have to get a better gauge. He’s still getting treatment, but he’s getting better. Just have to see how much he can tolerate.”
Bryce Petty, who went 2 of 2 for 19 yards in relief of Fitzpatrick, would get his first NFL start if the veteran can’t play. Petty was a fourth-round draft pick last year out of Baylor who hurt his right shoulder in the preseason and was unavailable early in the regular season.
He was the No. 3 quarterback behind both Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, but has moved up to the backup role after Smith’s season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.
“I think he’s capable of starting,” Bowles said of Petty. “It’s just a matter of Ryan is ahead of him right now. As Bryce gets more reps, he’ll get comfortable with them. Bryce has things he can do in games if we have to play him or if he has to start that I’m very comfortable with.”
Petty said he thinks about the past summer, when he was on the bubble to make the Jets’ roster, and cherishes the opportunity he has now — whether it remains as the backup or he has to make an emergency start.
He credits Fitzpatrick with helping him prepare and make marked improvements from his rookie season to now.