Will it be Ryan Fitzpatrick? Or Bryce Petty? We'll soon find out.
Jets coach Todd Bowles said Friday that he won't make a decision on his starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Rams until just before game time.
Fitzpatrick, who sprained his left MCL during last week's loss to the Dolphins, said earlier in the week that he was "definitely optimistic" about starting. But after three days of being limited in practice _ and splitting about half of the reps with Petty _ Bowles wasn't ready to make definitive announcement.
If Fitzpatrick does play, he'll have to wear a knee brace. "Fitz is Fitz, he's mentally on top of things and we'll just see where he is physically," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said.
Injured or not, Fitzpatrick can't play any worse. He leads the NFL with 13 interceptions and has the lowest quarterback rating (67.6) _ worse than even Blaine Gabbert. The Jets (3-6) are eager to get back on track against the Rams (3-5). But to do so, they'll need a strong effort from their quarterback _ whoever he might be.
Gailey, Fitzpatrick's former head coach in Buffalo, wasn't the least bit surprised that the 12-year veteran is determined to play. "I know that's the way he's always been his whole life," he said. "That's how he's gotten to where he is."
