Mark Sanchez’s shoulder injury likely will keep him out Week 1

Get ready to fire Rex Ryan again, because it looks like Mark Sanchez won’t be ready for Week 1 of the NFL season.

Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith have been competing for the New York Jets’ starting quarterback job. The team’s front office wanted Smith to win the job, but the West Virginia product played so poorly in the team’s third preseason game that it appeared Sanchez would be a better option. The problem is Ryan inserted Sanchez into the game last weekend in the fourth quarter, and Sanchez got hurt after his shoulder was driven into the turf.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Sanchez is unlikely to be ready for the team’s opening game on Sunday Sept. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and that he hasn’t thrown this week.

Matt Simms started the team’s final preseason game on Thursday. Greg McElroy is also a possibility to start Week 1, as is Smith. The team also signed Graham Harrell this week after he was cut by the Green Bay Packers.

Smith may end up starting Week 1 after all, and he can thank Sanchez’s shoulder injury.