New York Jets

Bryce Petty to start for New York Jets on Sunday

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

With Ryan Fitzpatrick banged up and 3-6 record this season, the New York Jets will give Bryce Petty his first NFL start on Sunday.

The New York Jets dropped to 3-6 with a loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a knee sprain during the game. Fitzpatrick was widely expected to start this week against the Los Angeles Rams, but multiple reports Sunday morning suggested otherwise and now there is confirmation Bryce Petty will make his first NFL start.

Chris Moore of WFAN Radio was first to report Petty would start.

After a prolific final two seasons of his college career at Baylor, Petty was drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) by the Jets in 2015. He threw the first two passes of his NFL career last week after Fitzpatrick went down, completing both for a total of 19 yards.

Fitzpatrick has thrown a league-high 13 interceptions this season, so he deserves to be benched. It’s unclear if Petty will be much of an upgrade, but the Jets are unlikely to make a real push toward an AFC playoff berth. Theoretically, unlike Fitzpatrick, Petty could have a future with the team beyond this season.

Fitzpatrick’s injury, on top of his poor play, has given Jets’ head coach Todd Bowles clear reasoning to make a quarterback change.

Things could change back again quickly with the team going on a bye in Week 11, particularly if Petty plays poorly on Sunday. But that off week seems like an opportunity to get Petty more comfortable in Chan Gailey’s offense, with an eye toward starting the rest of the season.