Jets notebook: Ryan Fitzpatrick making strong progress

It could be a little ‘Fitzmagic’ for the New York Jets who expect their starting quarterback to return from last week’s hand surgery in time for this weekend.

Ryan Fitzpatrick toreligaments in his left hand threeweeks ago in a loss at the Oakland Raiders and has been playing through the pain the past few games. On Friday just a few hours removed from a home loss to the BuffaloBills, Fitzpatrickhad surgery on his thumb to repair the torn ligaments. The hope at the time was that the few extra days afforded by playing on a Thursday night would help the quarterback heal from surgery.

Turns out Fitzpatrick may have made the right choice.

The bearded one was home resting on Monday ashead coach Todd Bowles expects his quarterback to be back by Wednesday. From there, it remains to be seen if he’s back in time for Sunday’s game at the Houston Texans.

“His pain progression – we’ll see if can take the snaps under center and see how he feels on Wednesday,” Bowles said on Monday.”After the medication wears off and everything, we’ll go from there.”

If Fitzpatrick can’t make his tenth start of the season, Bowles said Geno Smith will start. It was Smith, the starter for most of the past two years and the starter coming into training camp, who came on when Fitzpatrick got hurt at the Raiders.

The goal is obviously for Fitzpatrick to go if he can over Smith and to not rest this week.

“It was a thought, but it wasn’t a serious thought. Everything that was conveyed to us was that he would probably be able to play if everything went well,” Bowles said. “Everything went well. But again, you have to wait until Wednesday to see what his pain tolerance is.”

JETS NOTES

–> Leonard Williams had six tackles in the loss to the Bills, equaling his combined tackle total from the previous three games. There’s been talk that the first round pick is slowing down in his rookie season.

“I thought Leonard played hard the other night. It was one of his better games,” Bowles said. “I don’t think he’s had a bad game, but when you’re getting double-teamed and asked to do certain things, you don’t show out as much or shine as much, but Leonard has been doing everything we ask of him.”

–> Pro Football Focus reported that the Jets had 18 missed tackles against the Bills. Bowles said that number didn’t match the staff’s evaluation.