Sanchez probably won’t miss start
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez might be able to play in New York’s next game after spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Coach Rex Ryan said an MRI exam on Friday revealed the severity of the injury, suffered in the Jets’ 19-13 win over Buffalo on Thursday night.
“I feel good that it sounds like he’s going to be healthy,” Ryan said.
Ryan said Sanchez will initially wear a brace to stabilize the knee, and is optimistic the rookie could be ready to go against the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13.
Sanchez was injured when he dived headfirst on an 8-yard run early in the third quarter. He was examined by trainers for several minutes on the sideline and replaced by Kellen Clemens before he made his way with a slight limp to the locker room.
Redman gets ready
It’s no surprise that Chris Redman feels anxious this week.
The Falcons’ No. 2 quarterback is about to make a rare start, his first since 2007, when Atlanta hosts Philadelphia on Sunday.
Filling in the second straight week as Matt Ryan nurses a toe injury, Redman wished game day didn’t seem so long away.
“Yeah, pretty much,” he said. “You kind of just go through your routine that you’ve stuck with over the years. Just try not to get to nervous and go out there and have fun.”
Redman hardly looked rattled in last week’s 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay in playing all but the first drive as Ryan’s replacement.
Thompson injured
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jeremy Thompson was hospitalized for testing after suffering a neck injury in a collision with running back Kregg Lumpkin during practice.
Thompson, a second-year player out of Wake Forest who plays primarily on special teams, missed the Packers’ first two preseason games because of a shoulder stinger earlier this year.
The Packers said in a statement that he did not experience any paralysis.
Around the league
Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson (concussion), wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) and linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee) were ruled out for Sunday’s game against Atlanta by Eagles coach Andy Reid. … Linebacker Joey Porter has been added to the Miami Dolphins’ injury report with a sore knee and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against New England. … Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis continues to show symptoms from a concussion and will return to a specialist in Pittsburgh on Monday and Tuesday to evaluate his progress. … Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe are among the Minnesota Vikings listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Arizona. … Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams, who leads the team with 1,022 yards, is questionable for the Panthers’ game against Tampa Bay with a sprained ankle.