Despite some soreness, Bryce Petty appears good to go after suffering a hellacious hit from two Dolphins defensive linemen over the weekend.
“His tests came back negative,” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said Monday afternoon on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show.” “He’s sore, but he’s a lot better than we thought he would be.”
NFL Network reported earlier in the day that Petty had only suffered a bruised chest in Saturday night’s 34-13 loss to Miami. X-rays taken that night were negative, but as of Sunday morning Bowles was still awaiting CT scan results to rule out a punctured or bruised lung or possible damage to his ribs.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, miscommunication on the part of the Jets’ offensive line allowed Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake to rush Petty unblocked. The crushing two-man blow came immediately after the quarterback had launched a 28-yard pass to rookie receiver Robby Anderson. Petty left the game and was replaced by former starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Petty’s injury raised the question of which backup, Fitzpatrick or inexperienced rookie Christian Hackenberg, would start on Christmas Eve in New England if Petty wasn’t 100 percent. Before the additional test results came back Sunday morning, Bowles said he and his coaching staff would meet later that afternoon to “discuss everything.”
But during Monday’s radio interview, Bowles said he may dress all three of his quarterbacks depending on Petty’s health. That means Hackenberg — who hasn’t played all season — might be active for his first game as the Jets’ No. 3 QB.
After the Jets were embarrassed by the Colts, 41-10, on Monday Night Football, Bowles made the decision to bench Fitzpatrick for good. At the time, he said the 12-year veteran would be the backup “right now” and Hackenberg — who has yet to play this season — would “take some reps and we’ll see how he goes in the next coming weeks.” Asked during that Dec. 6 conference call if Hackenberg would play before the season ends, Bowles said: “Not unless Bryce gets hurt. Right now, I do not see him getting any playing time.”
The hit by Suh and Wake seemed like it might potentially knock Petty out of commission for some time. But the 25-year-old stressed after the game that he was OK. “I’ll be good,” he said with a smile. “Little sore right now, but I’ll be fine.”
Before he was forced to exit the game, Petty completed 20 of 36 for 235 yards, plus a touchdown and two interceptions against the Dolphins. In his three starts this season, he’s completed 62 of 103 passes and thrown two touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Patriots improved to 12-2 after defeating the Denver Broncos, 16-3 on Sunday. With the win, New England earned its eighth straight AFC East division championship.
Notes: The Jets waived linebacker Arthur Brown off the practice squad and signed linebacker Randell Johnson off the L.A. Rams’ practice squad.
..... - Newsday