Mark Sánchez Won't Need Shoulder Surgery

As New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, right, and lineman Vladimir Ducasse, left, look on, quarterback Mark Sanchez throws a pass during practice Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, in Florham Park, N.J. The Jets play the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional playoff game Sunday. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (AP2011)

Relax, Jets fans, Mark Sánchez is not going under the knife.

The Jets' franchise quarterback, who played the last quarter of the season and the playoffs with an ailing right shoulder, will not require surgery.

Sánchez said Thursday doctors told him rest and mild rehabilitation would be enough to return the shoulder to full strength.

Sánchez was injured when the Jets won at Pittsburgh on Dec. 19, but the shoulder wasn't a factor in New York's run to the AFC championship game. The Jets lost the title game to the Steelers, who play Green Bay in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Sánchez said a second MRI soon after the playoff loss showed swelling and bruising in the shoulder had improved enough to avoid a second surgery in two offseasons for Sánchez. He had knee surgery last year.

More On This...

Sanchez’s Shoulder’s Fine, Ready for Pats

"They were just really pleased with the way things healed," Sánchez said before a promotional appearance in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine.

The second-year pro said team physician Dr. Kenneth Montgomery was the only doctor he visited, but Montgomery sought opinions from several others.

Sánchez said he will continue some of the exercises he used to stay on the field during the season and will visit Montgomery again before the labor agreement expires March 3. He said he would probably start throwing again "soon."

The injury didn't affect Sánchez's playoff performance. He threw for 616 yards and five touchdowns and only one interception with a 95.5 quarterback rating.

The Jets won road playoff games at Indianapolis and New England, and Sánchez has already tied the NFL record with four postseason road wins in his first two seasons.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.