Mark Sanchez not as injured as Jets had feared

Mark Sanchez was out after his headfirst dive during Thursday nights game. The Jets are hopeful that Sanchez is back to playing football soon.

Sanchez, the New York Jets’ rookie quarterback, might be able to play in New York’s next game after spraining his right knee during the Jets’ 19-13 win over Buffalo. Coach Rex Ryan said an MRI exam Friday revealed the severity of the injury, which could have been much worse.

Sanchez was injured in the picture above.

The coach said that he was happy that is healthy and he is happy that the injury could possible only be minor.

Ryan said Sanchez will wear a brace on his right knee to prevent the knee from getting worse. The coach believes that sanchez may be able to go by the time they play the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13. Since the Jets played Thursday, they have 10 days before their next game giving Sanchez extra time to heal his right knee. That could be good news for the Jets, 6-6, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive with the win over the Bills.

Sanchez was injured when he dived headfirst on an 8-yard run early in the third quarter. He was examined by trainers on the sideline and replaced by Kellen Clemens before he made his way with a slight limp to the locker room.

Sanchez was already nursing a sore left knee after he was hurt in a 17-6 win over Carolina last weekend. Concerned about Sanchez’s sliding abilities, Ryan had brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi for a tutorial Tuesday.