New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum confirmed today that QB Mark Sanchez had his knees examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., this week. While Tannenbaum expects Sanchez to be "fully healthy well before training camp," Sanchez may undergo elective surgery on his left knee.
Sanchez, coming off a brilliant playoff run, missed four plays of a 17-6 Week 12 victory over the Panthers after scrambling for 8 yards and being tackled on the sideline by a Panthers defender. He landed awkwardly on his left knee — whose kneecap he dislocated prior to his redshirt junior season at Southern Cal. Four days later, he suffered a mild right knee sprain while diving headfirst for an 8-yard gain in the Jets' 19-13 victory over the Bills at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
"I would just say there may have been some small tweaks along the way but if there's any procedure, it won't be anything significant," Tannenbaum said, referring to the left knee. "You know, it's going to be much more of a rehab situation, more preventive, strengthening, things like that."
The right knee will be strengthened through rehabilitation, but Sanchez must decide whether to get surgery on the ligament stabilizing the patella in his left knee.
"No decision has been made if he'll have a procedure. I know it's been reported that he had that second opinion yesterday," Tannenbaum said of the meeting between Sanchez and Dr. Andrews. "So we will look at that collectively, but he will be ready well before camp. Nothing has been decided as of right now, but that's really where we are."
If Sanchez opts for minor surgery on his left knee, the Jets are fully confident of a speedy recovery.
"I think everyone is on the same page," said Tannenbaum. "It's not going to be anything major."
