Jets QB Sanchez will be able to start against Falcons

Quarterback Mark Sanchez will wear back his Jets jersey to start for the New York Jets this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after missing one game with a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

According to Jets Coach Rex Ryan, the rookie quarterback was medically cleared by team doctors after participating in team practices for three straight days. Sanchez took all of the snaps with the first-team offense Friday after taking 75 percent of them Thursday, and that improvement has made the Coach confident that Sanchez is fine enough to play again.

Missing the Jets’ 26-3 victory last Sunday at Tampa Bay for injuring the knee during the game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 3, Sanchez was replaced by Kellen Clemens. But he returned to practice Wednesday and experienced no setbacks during the week, a sign of Clemens losing starting job again.

Having already been wearing one on the left from a previous injury, Sanchez will wear custom-fitted braces on both knees, and Ryan said the team will also prepare Sanchez for his first game in wintry weather as it is expected to be snowy with near-freezing temperatures at the Meadowlands on Sunday.

“We put some of the UGG boot stuff in his helmet, so he’s going to be warmer,” Ryan said, referring to the wool-lined footwear. “I’m not kidding. Look at his helmet. He’s got some of that in there. We try to make sure our guys are comfortable and healthy and protected.”

From left knee to right, Sanchez got hurt again

During last Sunday’s 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers, the New York Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez injured his left knee, so he had been learning to use his right leg during this week’s practice, however, the right knee was injured, too, during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Sanchez appeared to be hurt when he dived head first to end an 8-yard run on New York’s second possession of the second half on Thursday night. It seemed that Jets Coach Rex Ryan’s plan did not work, and having Yankees manager Joe Girardi teach Sanchez sliding proved to be ineffective.

Fortunately, his touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards before hurting the knee was just enough to help the Jets win over the Bills at 19-13. Kellen Clemens replaced him for the rest of the game after he limped off the field without taking off his Jets jersey.