DENVER — The Bryce Petty Era is about to begin.
Barring some sort of unforeseen miracle that would allow Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown to play with the broken left hand he suffered in Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Petty will start against the Saints next Sunday in New Orleans.
Petty, in his third season, entered the game with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter after McCown took a hit from Broncos linebacker Shane Ray on a throw to running back Matt Forte. The Jets already were trailing 20-0.
Largely because of a porous offensive line, he was as ineffective in relief as McCown was starting. After McCown finshed 6-of-12 for 46 yards and an interception, Petty was 2-of-9 for 14 yards, though the Jets coaching staff raised the white flag and ran the ball rather than risk Petty also getting hurt.
“The game was already out of reach,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “He was getting hit some — some of it was rust and some of it was missed timing. When you don’t play all year and then you go in there, sometimes you [struggle].”
Petty hasn’t played since the preseason, during which he showed some progress.
“He improved [in preseason], but any time you don’t play in a couple months … preseason is completely different,” Bowles said. “If he has to play [next week], we’ll find out and go from there.”
After the game, Petty declared himself “ready to go.”
“That’s the toughest part about being a backup — limited reps,’’ he said. “Now, [I’ll] get some reps and hopefully fix the things I’m feeling need to be fixed. [I] will go in there [like] I am the starter and combat that with physical reps.”
Asked if he’s concerned this may be his last chance to show the Jets what he can do, Petty said he wasn’t worried about that.
“We have three games left,” Petty said. “I am going to give my heart and soul and prepare for this week for New Orleans. Whatever happens in the future happens. All I can do is worry about things I can control.’’
Before Sunday, Petty’s only playing time came in 2016, when he played in six games and started four. He had a 1-3 record and completed 75-of-133 passes for 56.4 percent, for 809 yards, with three touchdowns, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 60.0.
“Reps are big,’’ Petty said. “The more you get in there, the timing is different. Now I can get in there [in practice] and have the physical reps along with the mental reps. [I] have to pick up the slack in the [quarterbacks] room. It’s going to be a big opportunity.’’
This also may become an opportunity for Christian Hackenberg, the second-year second-round draft pick, who moves one step closer to taking his first NFL snap. Hackenberg, who hasn’t dressed since the season opener this season [when] Petty was hurt, likely will be the backup in New Orleans.
DENVER — The Bryce Petty Era is about to begin.
Barring some sort of unforeseen miracle that would allow Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown to play with...
DENVER The Bryce Petty Era is about to begin Barring some sort of unforeseen miracle that would allow Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown to play with the broken left hand he suffered in Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Petty will start against the Saints next Sunday in New Orleans Petty in his third season entered the game with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter after McCown took a hit from Broncos linebacker Shane Ray on a throw to running back Matt Forte The Jets already were trailing 20-0 Largely because of a porous offensive line he was as ineffective in relief as McCown was starting After McCown finshed 6-of-12 for 46 yards and an interception Petty was 2-of-9 for 14 yards though the Jets coaching staff raised the white flag and ran the ball rather than risk Petty also getting hurt The game was already out of reach Jets coach Todd Bowles said He was getting hit some some of it was rust and some of it was missed timing When you don’t play all year and then you go in there sometimes you struggle Petty hasn’t played since the preseason during which he showed some progress He improved in preseason but any time you don’t play in a couple months preseason is completely different Bowles said If he has to play next week we’ll find out and go from there After the game Petty declared himself ready to go That’s the toughest part about being a backup limited reps he said Now I’ll get some reps and hopefully fix the things I’m feeling need to be fixed I will go in there like I am the starter and combat that with physical reps Asked if he’s concerned this may be his last chance to show the Jets what he can do Petty said he wasn’t worried about that We have three games left Petty said I am going to give my heart and soul and prepare for this week for New Orleans Whatever happens in the future happens All I can do is worry about things I can control Before Sunday Petty’s only playing time came in 2016 when he played in six games and started four He had a 1-3 record and completed 75-of-133 passes for 56.4 percent for 809 yards with three touchdowns seven interceptions and a passer rating of 60.0 Reps are big Petty said The more you get in there the timing is different Now I can get in there in practice and have the physical reps along with the mental reps I have to pick up the slack in the quarterbacks room It’s going to be a big opportunity This also may become an opportunity for Christian Hackenberg the second-year second-round draft pick who moves one step closer to taking his first NFL snap Hackenberg who hasn’t dressed since the season opener this season when Petty was hurt likely will be the backup in New Orleans