Timing is no friend of Tim Tebow.
Rex Ryan finally benched Mark Sanchez on Sunday, but New York Jets fans weren't chanting Tebow's name. Instead, it was "Mc-El-Roy," as in second-year quarterback Greg McElroy, who helped lead the Jets to a 7-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Tebow, inactive with a rib injury, said he tried to convince Ryan to let him play against the Cardinals.
"Could I have pushed, went out there and played? I think I could have managed it," Tebow said Monday, via the New York Daily News. "I feel like I'm healing up."
Ryan didn't commit to a starter for next Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tebow's hometown team. Ryan said Tebow is "in the mix."
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"You just have to look at it as another game," Tebow said, according to the Daily News. "It doesn't matter how many family or friends are going to be there."
Tebow underwent more X-rays Sunday, the results of which will dictate his ability to practice. Ryan said Tebow isn't close to 100 percent while admitting it was wrong to even dress the quarterback for the Thanksgiving game against the New England Patriots.
Tebow was asked if he'd be upset if McElroy started over him.
"I'm not into hypotheticals," he said. "I'm trying to get healthy right now."
If Tebow is cleared to play, he has every right to be unhappy if McElroy gets the nod ahead of him. Tebow was brought to the Jets to be a hybrid weapon and premium insurance policy if Sanchez were to miss time. If Ryan goes with a seventh-round draft pick ahead of Tebow, it tells you everything you need to know.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
