The New York Jets tried their hardest to get their Week 1 starting quarterback injured in a meaningless preseason game Thursday night, but ultimately they did not succeed. If nothing else, a minor injury gave McCown the chance to show us what separates a 38-year-old veteran from the rest of the pack.
On the Jets’ second drive of the game, McCown took a big shot from a Philadelphia Eagles defender just after he released a pass:
Here's a look at hit that took Josh McCown out of game for one play. #PHIvsNYJ
Hey @nyjets why is he in the game? pic.twitter.com/2bh8WZaQm2— Uncle Bill (@UBtalkin) September 1, 2017
At first it appeared McCown may have been seriously injured, but it turned out he just had the wind knocked out of him. However, he chose to take his time getting to his feet just in case he had to leave the game.
Jets QB Josh McCown talks about his injury scare tonight… and preseason finale performance. pic.twitter.com/WGgsdXLi9G
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) September 1, 2017
“I went down so (Hackenberg) could have a chance to warm up,” McCown said. “If you’re gonna go out for a play, you get a chance to compose yourself. Having been in those shoes, you appreciate it. I figured I’d take a knee for a second to let him throw a few balls.”
You learn a lot in 15-plus years playing for seven different systems, that’s for sure.
As if it wasn’t shocking enough that McCown started in the fourth preseason game, Jets head coach Todd Bowles chose to leave him in after the injury scare. Bowles said later that “football is football” and getting hurt is part of the game.
Despite what some players may think, it would be hard to make a strong case that the Jets aren’t tanking. Playing their Week 1 starter in the fourth preseason game is further evidence of that.
