Ryan Fitzpatrick has a significant injury to his thumb, but that doesn't guarantee he'll miss more time for the New York Jets.
Jets coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday that an MRI revealed that Fitzpatrick sustained ligament damage to his left thumb in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders. Surgery will be needed to fix the issue, but Bowles said it's possible Fitzpatrick could put off a procedure until after the season.
The team is calling Fitzpatrick "day-to-day" and hasn't ruled the quarterback out for next Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars. Bowles said taking snaps and handing off will present obstacles for the veteran.
"It'll be a challenge," the coach said, via the New York Daily News.
Fitzpatrick isn't the only Jets quarterback facing injury-related uncertainty. Bowles said tests revealed Geno Smith suffered a left shoulder bruise in the game and he's also considered day-to-day.
The Jets are looking at other quarterbacks in free agency or trade in the event both Fitzpatrick and Smith are unable to go in Week 9. Bowles acknowledged that Matt Flynn, the veteran passer cut by the team after the preseason, is one option.
"He's a possibility," Bowles said. "He's one of the names that we've talked about."
The only other option on the roster is rookie Bryce Petty, who Bowles said could see more work practice this week. The NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
