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Report: Mark Sanchez Thinks Organization Has Turned Its Back On Him

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Consider the Jets' quarterback competition closed -- for now.

With Mark Sanchez nursing a shoulder injury, the Jets have announced that Geno Smith will be under center when Gang Green kicks off its regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

But Sanchez, New York's starter for the past few years, might not have an opportunity to regain his starting job when his shoulder heals.

At least that's what he thinks.

A person close to the embattled former first-round pick said that Sanchez "believes the organization wants to see him placed on (injured reserve) and be done with him," according to USA TODAY Sports.

The person also said that the 26-year-old thinks the front office is of the opinion that "it makes it cleaner and easier" if Sanchez is placed on IR, the newspaper reported.

Sanchez struggled mightily last season, throwing 13 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. He completed just 54.3 percent of his passes and fumbled the ball 14 times.

The source informed USA TODAY Sports that the USC product is worried that the "organization has turned its back on (him) and is prepared to move on. It is ready to start fresh with Geno."

Head coach Rex Ryan indicated that there aren't any plans to cut ties with Sanchez, telling reporters on Monday, "If Mark's healthy, then yes, I would say he'll be part of this team."

While he said that injured reserve "is not what we're looking at right now," he didn't rule it out as a possibility.

Sanchez was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jets' preseason game against the Giants on August 24. Ryan's decision to play the experienced starter in garbage time behind an inexperienced offensive line drew plenty of criticism.

According to NFL.com, Sanchez won't be healthy enough to start until at least Week 3.

One source told USA TODAY Sports that there is a "widening schism" between Sanchez and the organization.

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