Bowles defends clock management

A day later, Jets coach Todd Bowles stuck by his decision not to call a timeout just before halftime in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings.

Bowles could have called timeout with about 1:20 left on the clock after the Vikings were stopped short on third down and forced to kick a field goal. Instead, Bowles let the Vikings take time off the clock, and the Jets got the ball back at their 32 with 42 seconds left after Minne- sota kicker Dan Bailey missed a 42-yard fieldgoal attempt.

“We had enough time to go with three timeouts and work a two-minute drill and get it back at the end of the half,” Bowles said. “We felt like 40 seconds was more than enough time from where the ball was had he missed the kick.”

Bowles is correct that 42 seconds is enough time to operate a two-minute drill, but wouldn’t 1:20 with two timeouts have been a better situation?

“We’re good with our decision,” Bowles said.

➤ The Jets’ banged-up secondary suffered another loss Sunday. Backup safety Doug Middleton suffered a torn pectoral muscle, ending his season, according to a source. Middleton, who started Sunday in place of Marcus Maye (thumb), tore the other pectoral last year and missed the season.

There was no update on running back Bilal Powell after he left the game with a neck injury in the second quarter.

Bowles, who did not confirm Middleton is done for the season, said the Jets will discuss adding a safety and running back if Middleton and Powell are out for an extended time.

➤ Wide receiver Robby Anderson was penalized for throwing the football at an official near the end of Sunday’s game. Anderson apologized after the game to reporters. Bowles said he and Anderson had a conversation Monday.

“I didn’t like it,” Bowles said.