Speculation: Is Mark Sanchez Playing Hurt?

Cimini wonders whether an injury might be affecting Mark Sanchez.

Mark Sanchez's proficiency on deep passes started to drop off six games ago, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That means it started with the Nov. 17 loss in Denver, where it's believed he suffered a pinched nerve in his neck. In fact, he first appeared on the Jets' injury report the week after the Denver game.

Though he never missed any practice time due to the injury (at least that's what the Jets tell us), a neck/right shoulder injury shouldn't be dismissed as a nothing deal, especially for a right-handed quarterback.

After watching some of the shots he has taken because of bad protection and the way he has stayed on the ground after some of these hits, I am almost expecting we are going to find out next week that Sanchez has been playing hurt. I think Sanchez's issues, particularly his trouble with his reads, go beyond any injury, but pain he is feeling might very well be affecting him.