Mark Sanchez was forced to watch from the sideline while rookie Geno Smith won his first NFL game, but the 5th year quarterback isn't giving up on the 2013 season yet.
Sanchez spoke to NFL media's Rich Eisen on Thursday, saying there are "there is no plan for surgery at this time," indicating that he will be focusing purely on rehabilitation. The next two weeks are critical in determining whether a comeback this year is possible. According to Ian Rapoport 1-2 weeks will be enough time to determine whether rehabilitation is working, which would allow Sanchez to put off surgery to repair a torn labrum. Surgery would sideline the quarterback for 4-6 months and could be done in January of 2014 if rehabilitation is successful.
Despite supporting his team Sanchez is upset at how this season has gone, especially after staving off an open quarterback competition in training camp.
"What I'm really disappointed about is that I got hurt because I won the competition [...] It was a done deal."
Sanchez finished preseason with 366 passing yards, with two touchdowns and interceptions. His quarterback rating of 90.0 was significantly better than Smith's, who finished at 54.6.
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