Jets' Sanchez could play in next game

Sanchez might play in Jets' next game

The knee injury suffered by New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez during Thursday night's victory over the Buffalo Bills is relatively minor and might not force Sanchez to miss any games, Jets Coach Rex Ryan said Friday.

An MRI exam showed that Sanchez suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Ryan said.

Sanchez is to wear a brace on his knee, at least initially, and might be able to play in the Jets' next game on Dec. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"We're optimistic that he'll be ready to play against Tampa Bay," Ryan said at a news conference. "But we'll see how he progresses through [next] week. . . . It was encouraging news."

Vick ready for return

Quarterback Michael Vick returns to Atlanta on Sunday, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles against his former team, the Falcons.

"I look forward to going back and being in that stadium," Vick said this week, according to the Eagles' Web site. "It's going to be like a dream come true."

Vick, however, has played a small role for the Eagles this season in his return to the NFL after missing two seasons while serving his federal prison sentence for his role in a dog fighting operation in Virginia.

"I think this week is going to be a little tougher than the others [from the sideline] because I played in that stadium and that's where I started my career and I have so many great memories," Vick said, according to the Eagles' Web site. "To be playing in a limited role -- I'm pretty much used to that and I know my position on this team and the ultimate goal is to win the game, let's not forget that -- but being on the opposite side, it's going to be a bit different. It's going to be tough but at the same time, I'm going to enjoy the moment."

Different look for Giants

Slumping New York had two usual defensive starters, end Osi Umenyiora and tackle Fred Robbins, working with the second-team defense during Friday's practice, the Associated Press reported.

Mathias Kiwanuka replaced Umenyiora at end with the starting defense, and Chris Canty practiced with the starters at tackle ahead of Robbins, according to the AP.

"We will play everybody," Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said, according to the AP. "We will get everybody involved. We are trying to do the best we can in maneuvering our personnel according to our team. We preach team defense, so we are going to try to get other guys involved as much as we can and see if we can't solve some issues."

The Giants have lost five of six games since a 5-0 start to the season. They host the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Giants Stadium.