Sanchez could be a game-time decision

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The Jets will have Mark under center when they go on offense Sunday against the Bears at Soldier Field. Just might not be the one everybody has grown accustomed to seeing.

Could be backup Mark Brunell, 40, instead of starter Mark Sanchez.

Rex Ryan revealed Thursday that Sanchez, who reportedly has a slight tear in his right shoulder, couldn't have played Wednesday if there had been a game, counter to what both initially indicated. Sanchez could wind up being a game-time decision.

"I underestimated where he was with that injury [Wednesday]," said Ryan, who decreased Sanchez's chances of playing from 99 percent to 80 percent. "He has a sore shoulder. There's no question about it, but I thought he'd be ready to go if we had played [Wednesday]. When I talked to [trainer] John Mellody, he basically said, 'Rex, no, he wouldn't have been able to go [Wednesday].' I misspoke.

"He threw the ball today. It never had a ton of zip on it, but he threw the ball today. This one could be more of a game time- type decision than I thought it would be."

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had a more optimistic outlook regarding whether Sanchez will play, though. "I think so," he said. "I do. I really do."

Sanchez took the majority of the reps in practice Thursday, many more than Brunell, and Schottenheimer liked what he saw, especially when he threw one particular 18-yard curl. He said the reason Ryan might've been alarmed about Sanchez's lack of velocity on his passes was because he was watching him in the opening minutes, not later on, when he was looser.

"Early in practice, he was kind of just getting warmed up," Schottenheimer said. "I think that's probably what Rex was talking about. But I think as he got going a little bit, he looked good. I think a lot of it is just precaution. They are being smart. It's just a few days after the game and I think they are kind of taking their time with this thing."

If Sanchez can't go, it'll be up to Brunell. The 18-year veteran hasn't started since last year's regular-season finale with the Saints. He's thrown one pass this season, a 7-yard completion.

"You have to be ready," Brunell said. "It's the job of a backup, and if that's the case this week, I'll be ready to go. I've had a few reps this week, so I've got to be ready."

"It's next man up," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "We've said it all year. Obviously, Sanchez is our leader and a guy that we count on. But in that situation, you've got to go with the guy that's healthy. If he's a game-time decision, that means Mark has to make sure he's ready to play. I'm sure he'll step up just fine and allow us to keep it rolling."

Sanchez won't be the one making the final call. It'll be Ryan, who learned his lesson earlier this season when Darrelle Revis talked the staff into allowing him to play earlier than he should have and tweaked his hamstring against the Patriots.

Might not be all that tough of a decision, though, if you ask Schottenheimer.

"Watching him throw today, I thought he looked really good," he said. "The way he played after he fell on his shoulder [Sunday], I feel good about it. We always tease him. He's always hooked up to instruments. Brunell looks at him like, 'What is this?'

"We are in the quarterback meetings, and he's got ice on his head, his knee, his ankle, his back. I mean, it's like, 'What's the matter with you?' But I think he'll be fine, I really do."