Josh McCown leaves after breaking left hand

New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown could be lost for the remainder of the season after fracturing his left (non-throwing) hand on Sunday in a 23-0 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field.

McCown will have additional tests to determine if he can play, according to the Jets. If he can't, Bryce Petty will start next Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Christian Hackenberg, who has yet to play in a regular-season game, would be the backup, coach Todd Bowles said.

A choked-up McCown, 38, in the midst of a career year, broke down at his post-game news conference, pausing for several seconds when asked to describe his emotions. He refused to count himself out, but he didn't sound optimistic about his chances.

"We'll see," he said. "I'll do whatever I can to get ready to go and we'll see where that leads us. We still have more tests we can do and look at. "My heart is with these guys. I want to finish with these guys, so if I can be out there, I'd love to be out there."

Bowles said he had no idea if McCown could play with a fractured left hand.

McCown, who played every offensive snap in the first 12 games, went out with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter. He left hand was struck by a Denver player as he fell to the ground after releasing a pass. He was taken immediately to the locker room for an X-ray.

Earlier, McCown missed two plays because of a hip-pointer injury. He said it "hurt pretty bad," but he was able to get loose and return to the game. Upon returning, he threw an interception on his first pass.

Under heavy duress, McCown played his worst game of the season, completing only six of 12 passes for 46 yards, an interception and a lost fumble. He was replaced both times by Petty, who made his 2017 debut. Petty, who beat out Hackenberg for the No. 2 job in the preseason, struggled mightly (2-for-9, 14 yards). He has four career starts, all coming last season.

In recent days, McCown, beset by a spate of injuries in recent years, spoke of how badly he wanted to play 16 games for the first time in his 14-year career. Maybe that's why he was so emotional at the podium.

"It's been the best (season) because of the guys, not the numbers," he said. "It's been the best because of the good men in that locker room. I'm just so proud to be part of it. If I can finish, I'd love to finish. We'll see what the tests say."