New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum admitted yesterday the team should have disclosed Brett Favre’s torn biceps tendon on mandatory weekly injury reports over the final third of last season.
Favre, now with the Minnesota Vikings, said earlier this week he thought he was hurting the Jets because of the injury and discussed it with the coaches and the front office. He said he would have been willing to sit out, even though that would have ended his streak of consecutive starts, which now stands at 269.
Tannenbaum said he should have listed the quarterback as “probable,’’ but didn’t because the injury was not severe enough to require daily treatment and there was never any doubt Favre would play.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was investigating.
“We have just started looking into it,’’ he said. “No determinations have been made regarding discipline.’’
In the past, such violations usually have resulted in fines.
Hiding injuries could affect an opponent’s preparation and the NFL has stepped up policing such practices.
“As the GM of this team, I should’ve handled that differently and listed him on the report,’’ Tannenbaum said. “We didn’t, just because he wasn’t getting treatment every day and we knew he was going to play. But, looking back on it now, I should’ve listed him as probable, and we didn’t, and I’ll take responsibility for that.’’
He said he has spoken to Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations.
“I’ll just say that we’ll cooperate with them,’’ Tannenbaum said, “and we’ll go from there.’’
Favre led the Jets to a 8-3 start and first place in the AFC East. But he threw nine interceptions down the stretch and the team lost four of its last five games, missing the playoffs.
Favre said Wednesday he felt as though he was harming the Jets with slight misses on some throws. He also said he spoke with Tannenbaum, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll, and the consensus was to finish out the season. Favre didn’t mention former Jets coach Eric Mangini, now coaching the Browns.
“It was a decision that we made collectively and Brett was part of it,’’ Tannenbaum said. “We just felt he gave us the best chance to win and that was based on how he was playing and how the team was doing.’’
“As long as I’m able to walk and get out there, I will be ready to go,’’ Cassel said. “It’s up to them to pull me back.’’
So, does that mean Cassel will play Sunday against Baltimore? Too early to tell.
Cassel sprained his left knee in Kansas City’s third exhibition game Aug. 29. He returned to practice Monday and was on the field the past two days. Though he’s getting better every day, Cassel’s been limited in what drills he can participate in, leaving the coaches with a hazy plan against the Ravens and their rugged defense.
“I think this is something that will go down to the wire with the quarterback,’’ Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “On game day, we’ll still be trying to figure it out.’’
