Mark Sanchez has no intention of missing the rest of the 2013 season because of the torn labrum in his right shoulder.
The New York Jets quarterback told NFL Media's Rich Eisen on Thursday that he was "pleasantly surprised" by his "progress." Sanchez stated that his plan is to rehab his throwing shoulder and get back on the field.
"I'm rehabbing my ass off to try and make it back, and that's where my head's at," Sanchez told Eisen. "There is no plan for surgery at this time."
After incorrect reports surfaced Thursday that Sanchez was out for the season, it's interesting to hear him now try to get out in front of the story. He's making it clear that he doesn't want the Jets to end his season. Sanchez said he's not angry with the Jets, but he believes he has earned the right to play with a better August performance than rookie quarterback Geno Smith.
"What I'm really disappointed about is that I got hurt because I won the competition," Sanchez said.
"Do you feel you won the competition?" Eisen asked.
"There's no doubt," Sanchez said. "It was a done deal."
That's about as fiery as we've heard Sanchez in a while. As recently as the middle of August, Sanchez publicly said it wasn't up to him to decide who was leading the quarterback competition.
Ultimately, the ability to play now is out of Sanchez's hands. If Smith plays well in Sanchez's absence, it's hard to imagine the Jets pulling the plug on the rookie.
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