Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick underwent surgery on his left thumb on Friday, as expected.
Fitzpatrick had a torn ligament in the thumb repaired. Coach Todd Bowles said Fitzpatrick is expected to be ready to play in the Jets’ next game against the Texans on Nov. 22.
Running back Zac Stacy was not as fortunate with his injury. Stacy broke his ankle on a kick return at the end of the first half Thursday night and had surgery Friday morning. He is out for the remainder of the season. Stacy had 31 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown along with nine catches for 65 yards this season. He also returned 10 kickoffs for 204 yards.
Bowles also said wide receiver Eric Decker is dealing with a sore shoulder after Thursday’s game. The Jets have 10 days to recuperate, something they need with a lot of injuries mounting. Bowles refused to use injuries as an excuse for the team’s recent poor play.
“Every team has injuries. It’s going to be like that,” Bowles said. “It’s a long season, so you’ve got guys on your team backing up for a reason so when the starters go down, you expect those guys to come in and play and step up.”
Bowles was asked if he has considered benching linebacker Demario Davis, who gave up a touchdown pass to running back Karlos Williams in the third quarter. It is not the first time a running back has beaten Davis this season. Bowles said he has not considered sitting Davis down.
“I’m fine with his ability in coverage,” Bowles said. “He played the wrong leverage and the guy got underneath him, but the quarterback also had too much time to throw the ball.”
Bowles said he was unaware backup quarterback Geno Smith directed a vulgarity at a Post reporter after being asked if he was willing to do an interview after Thursday’s game.
“This is the first I’ve heard about it,” Bowles said. “I’ll gather more information about it and have a better idea about it.”
The Jets surprisingly placed guard Willie Colon on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday. Bowles said Friday that Colon’s right knee kept swelling up and was getting worse. Colon was unable to practice this week and even had to leave the practice field because of the knee.
“It was probably one of the hardest things I had to do because he’s such a warrior and he’s played quite a few years in this league,” Bowles said. “Knowing a guy has to go out like that, you never want to tell a guy that he has to go on IR and can’t play, especially since he’s played a ton of years.”
Colon, at 32, may be facing retirement.
The Jets signed OL Lawrence Okoye and DL T.J. Barnes to the practice squad Friday. They cut CB Jeremy Harris from the practice squad.
Okoye competed for England in the 2012 Olympics in discus. He is a British national record holder in the sport. He has spent time on the 49ers and Cardinals practice squads, but as a defensive end. The Jets will try to make him an offensive lineman.