Sanchez undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery

NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Sanchez’s season is over. It might be the end of his time with the New York Jets, too.

The maligned quarterback, who was once dubbed “The Sanchize” and drew early comparisons to Joe Namath, had seasonending surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday.

The surgery, which repaired a torn labrum, was performed by Dr. James Andrews, the team announced on Twitter and its official site. Sanchez, who hasn’t played since being injured in the third preseason game, said in a statement that he was advised by Andrews and other doctors to have surgery after seven weeks of rehabilitation.

“I’m very disappointed that I can’t be out there to help my team on the field,” Sanchez said in a statement, “but I’ll continue to help our team in whatever capacity I can.”

Sanchez was placed on short-term injured reserve on Sept. 14, meaning he would not be able to play for eight weeks while he recovered. At that time, he thought he would still be able to return this season and possibly reclaim his starting job.

He acknowledged then that surgery was a possibility at some point, but doctors were encouraged by his rehab.

“After over seven weeks of hard work and intense rehab, I’ve been advised by Dr. Andrews and other doctors that my shoulder injury clearly needs to be addressed surgically,” Sanchez said in the statement issued by the team. “The injury was recovering at an encouraging rate early on and I avoided surgery as long as I could.

“But, ultimately, I was counseled by the doctors that they simply would have to repair my shoulder.”

Sanchez was in a tight competition with rookie Geno Smith for the starting job this summer before he was hurt against the Giants when he took a hard shot to his shoulder from Marvin Austin. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter with mostly backups in the game, and coach Rex Ryan has taken a lot of criticism for putting the quarterback in that position.

Many speculated that, after a poor showing by Smith in that game, Sanchez had wrapped up the starting job after a solid preseason. Ryan disagreed with that notion, saying a decision on the starter had not been determined at that point.

Smith, a second-round pick, has been up and down in his first five NFL starts, but led the team to a 30-28 victory on Monday night at Atlanta with a terrific performance. Many believe Smith is the future of the franchise — meaning Sanchez, the team’s top pick in 2009, has seen his final days as a starter with the Jets.

Still, even knowing that he was to undergo surgery the next day and his status with the team beyond this season unclear, Sanchez pumped his fist and yelled in celebration as Nick Folk kicked the winning field goal to beat the Falcons.

“All doctors expect a full recovery and I look forward to getting back on the field,” Sanchez said, thanking his doctors. “Until then, Go Jets!”