Tebowmania will not hit the road next week.
Jets coach Rex Ryan announced yesterday backup quarterback Tim Tebow will sit out Thursday’s preseason finale against the Eagles. It is normal for starters to sit out the fourth preseason game, but a bit unusual for a backup to do so.
Ryan intends to have starter Mark Sanchez play into the third quarter tomorrow against the Panthers and then have Tebow finish the game. The duo took all the snaps last week against the Giants, too.
“This one, obviously, you want to extend your players, but you’re not going to play on Thursday,” Ryan said. “With that quick of a turnaround, you’re really not going to play them on Thursday.”
The Jets will use third-string quarterback Greg McElroy and fourth-stringer Matt Simms against the Eagles.
* Ryan said he expects wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley to play tomorrow, but they will be limited. He said it could be only 10-12 plays for them.
“We just want to be really cautious [because] we need these guys,” Ryan said.
* Special teams coach Mike Westhoff said the team will reevaluate the kicking position after tomorrow’s game. Both Nick Folk and Josh Brown have had strong training camps. Westhoff said the team could decide to keep one after tomorrow’s game or choose to let the competition go through the Eagles game.
Westhoff also said punter T.J. Conley could be fighting for a spot on the Jets after battling inconsistency this preseason. Conley had punts of 19 and 23 yards last week against the Giants.
“I’m 100 percent sure he can do it,” Westhoff said, “but right now he’s probably competing against somebody that’s wearing a different color shirt. We have our eyes open.”
* Safety LaRon Landry was not fined by the NFL for his hit on Giants WR Victor Cruz last week … Safety Yeremiah Bell did not practice after injuring his knee Thursday. Tests showed no structural damage and Bell said he expects to play tomorrow. … DE Mike DeVito pulled a calf muscle in practice yesterday. It sounds doubtful he’ll play.
* Safety Eric Smith (knee), NT Sione Po’uha (back), CB Ellis Lankster (leg) and TE Jeff Cumberland (concussion) will not play.