Bryce Petty says he's ready to go for Saturday against Patriots

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Three days after absorbing a rib-rattling sandwich from Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake, New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty pronounced himself cleared to play Saturday against the New England Patriots.

Petty, who suffered a chest bruise on the hit, was in such good spirits Tuesday that he managed to laugh about it.

"It was a good hit -- hits, plural," he said. "I'll probably put [the picture] up in my man cave at some point. If I can take shots from those two dudes, I think I'll be all right."

Petty, in his third career start, was injured on a fluke play at the start of the fourth quarter in the Jets' 34-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Wesley Johnson snapped the ball prematurely, catching Petty and the other offensive linemen by surprise. They never engaged the Miami pass-rushers, allowing Suh and Wake to swoop toward Petty from opposite sides.

Petty, who completed a pass on the play, was in too much pain to continue. X-rays and a CT scan were negative, meaning there were no fractures and no lung damage, according to the team.

"I thought something was messed up in there," Petty said. "Luckily, everything is good and I don't have to speak in hypotheticals, because we're all cleared and good to go."

Coach Todd Bowles stopped short of saying Petty will start against the Patriots, but he sounded optimistic.

"He's feeling a lot better," Bowles said. "It's early in the week, but if he continues to get better, he should be fine."

Bowles still is toying with the idea of dressing three quarterbacks for the game, which would mean the first time in uniform for rookie third-stringer Christian Hackenberg.

Petty practiced fully Tuesday, saying there were no limitations with his throwing. He said his chest is pain-free, but he's expected to wear a protective pad for the game. He said the training camp is creating a Kevlar pad for him.

Petty said he didn't want to blame Johnson for the error, but mentioned that he received an apologetic gift from him.

"I had a batch of cookies on my hood from Wes," Petty said, adding that they were chocolate chip and homemade. "It was a really nice gesture. He still owes me dinner, though."

Petty lost one of his top lineman, as right guard Brian Winters was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a shoulder injury against the Dolphins and couldn't finish the game. He became the fourth offensive lineman to land on IR, joining Nick Mangold, Breno Giacomini and Ryan Clady. The only original starter still standing is left guard James Carpenter. Winters, who will be a free agent, probably will be replaced by Dakota Dozier.

The Jets also placed linebacker Mike Catapano (knee) on IR. They signed tackle Donald Hawkins and defensive tackle Brandin Bryant from the practice squad.