Jets' McCown bids sad farewell to 2017 season

Dec 12, 2017 - 2:32 AM FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown will need surgery on his fractured left hand, head coach Todd Bowles announced on Monday.

Broncos linebacker Shane Ray hit McCown on his non-throwing hand with his helmet as he brought McCown to the ground near the end of the third quarter of Sunday's 23-0 Jets loss, their sixth loss in eight games.

McCown received a second opinion on Monday, confirming that surgery was necessary.

Playing for his 10th team in his 15th NFL season, the 38-year-old had career highs in completions (267), yards (2,926) and touchdowns (23 -- 18 passing, five rushing) and tied his career high with 13 starts, which he hadn't done since 2004 with the Cardinals. He took every offensive snap for the Jets this season before Sunday.

"It's been the best because of the guys, not (the) numbers," McCown said tearfully after the game about his season, adding that he knew "something wasn't right" immediately after the hit. "It's been the best because of the group of men in the locker room. ... I'm thankful they let me be a part of this team."

The Jets signed McCown to a one-year, $6 million deal in March, and he made an extra $125,000 for each game he started, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He was the AFC Offensive Player of the Week just last week after throwing for 331 yards with three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) in a 38-31 win over the Chiefs.

"Well, it's big for him and it's big for us because he's been leading us all year offensively, for him to go down this late in the season," Bowles said about the injury. "But it's next-man-up mentality. ... But you feel sorry for Josh. He's having a very good year."

Bowles later called McCown one of his "most favorite players" that he's worked with in his 18 years as an NFL coach during his weekly spot on ESPN Radio. He also said during his conference call with reporters that he and McCown will be "forever connected."

"For him to go into this season and play so well ... that's pretty tough to watch," Bowles added on The Michael Kay Show. "I know how much it meant to him."

Bowles also said that he talked to McCown on Monday, but they didn't discuss whether he'll continue playing.

The next man up for the Jets is Bryce Petty, the third-year man out of Baylor, who has three touchdown passes and seven interceptions in seven career games (four starts). Christian Hackenberg, a 2016 second-round pick out of Penn State who has never seen regular-season action and was inactive for all but one game this season, will serve as Petty's backup.

Bowles said Petty has the full support of the locker room.

Said the coach: "We've stuck together all season and I don't see that changing."

--Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is eligible to return this week from his four-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, but head coach Todd Bowles wouldn't commit to reinstating the veteran just yet.

"He can technically be invited back this week," Bowles said. "These are things we still have to discuss, though."

Kerley has 22 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown in eight games this season. He was also the team's primary punt returner at the time of his suspension and has 16 returns for 85 yards. But he had a crucial fumble on a return in the fourth quarter against the Falcons in the pouring rain.

Said Bowles about Kerley's possible return: "I'll let you guys know on Wednesday."

Kerley was reinstated Monday, but the Jets have a roster exemption for him that expires next Monday (Dec. 18).

NOTES: QB Josh McCown was named one of eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on Monday. The award, which is named after the founding owner of the Steelers, will be given at NFL Honors in Minneapolis the night before Super Bowl LII. The winner, which will be determined by a vote of current players, will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL to the charity of his choice. The other finalists are: Vernon Davis of the Redskins, Antonio Gates of the Chargers, Luke Kuechly of the Panthers, Haloti Ngata of the Lions, Alex Smith of the Chiefs, Joe Staley of the 49ers and Joe Thomas of the Browns. Colts running back Frank Gore won last year. ... RB Elijah McGuire left Sunday's game with an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. His status will be updated on Wednesday, according to head coach Todd Bowles. ... LS Thomas Hennessy injured his head making a tackle on a punt return in Sunday's game and did not return. He is in concussion protocol. TE Eric Tomlinson served as the long snapper in his absence and will continue to do so should Hennessy miss more time.