Jets may need McCown for one more week
NEW YORK >> Josh McCown might be in for at least one more start for the Jets.
The 39-year-old quarterback banged his hand on a helmet, causing a cut during New York’s 27-13 loss to New England on Sunday. He had a heavy wrap on his hand as he left the locker room, but it isn’t expected to keep him out of practice Wednesday.
“It’s doing better,” McCown said during a conference call Monday. “There’s still some soreness or whatnot, but feeling better.”
McCown made his second straight start and went 26 of 45 for 276 yards and a touchdown with one interception in place of rookie Sam Darnold, who has been sidelined with a foot strain. The injury could keep the No. 3 overall pick sidelined for another week, but coach Todd Bowles said it’s too early to tell whether Darnold might skip another practice.
“I’m not sure yet,” Bowles said. “He’s getting better, so we’ll see on Wednesday.”
Darnold has not played or participated in team drills since injuring his foot at Miami on Nov. 4. Davis Webb has served as McCown’s backup in New York’s past two games.
The Jets, who have lost five straight, play at Tennessee on Sunday. If Darnold sits out against the Titans, there’s hope he might be able to return for New York’s road game at Buffalo on Dec. 9.
“It’ll be good for him just to play,” Bowles said. “The more games he can play, the better off he’ll be. Obviously, he’s got to get healthy first and he has to practice so he can get back and used to the routine again and then we’ll see from there. But it’s important for him to get reps.”
Darnold struggled in the three games before he was injured with just two touchdown passes and seven interceptions in that span. Despite missing the past two games, Darnold still leads the NFL with 14 INTs.
JAGS SACK COORDINATOR JACKSONVILLE, FLA. >> The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and quarterback Blake Bortles one day after the team’s seventh consecutive loss.
Coach Doug Marrone fired Hackett and benched Bortles on Monday, making sweeping changes to one of the league’s worst offenses.
Marrone promoted quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich to play-caller and backup quarterback Cody Kessler.
The Jags also could be without running back Leonard Fournette, who was suspended one game without pay for leaving the sideline, running across the field and throwing punches at Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson . DALTON’S SEASON OVER CINCINNATI >> Andy Dalton is out for the rest of the season with an injured thumb on his passing hand, another significant blow to a Bengals team that has fallen apart in the past month.
Cincinnati (5-6) is without its quarterback or much hope that things will get much better down the stretch. The Bengals put Dalton on injured reserve after he had more tests and medical opinions Monday about the best way to get the thumb healed.