HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Nov. 7, 2005) -- Jets quarterback Brooks Bollinger will start in place of ailing Vinny Testaverde against Carolina on Nov. 13 after a strong performance in a loss to San Diego.
In another setback for the Jets, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (concussion) and tight end Chris Baker (broken ankle) are out for the season and were placed injured reserve.
Chrebet was undergoing more tests Nov. 7 after hitting his head hard on the turf in the closing minutes against the Chargers, and it appears his career could be over.
Bollinger replaced Testaverde late in the third quarter and sparked the Jets to a near comeback victory. He was 11 of 20 for 106 yards with two touchdown passes. With one final chance to win the game, his fourth-down pass to Justin McCareins was batted down and San Diego held on for a 31-26 victory.
Testaverde tweaked his strained right Achilles' tendon against the Chargers and is listed as questionable for the Week 10 game. He was injured against Atlanta two weeks ago.
"I liked what I saw and that was part of the process," coach Herman Edwards said. "If Vinny was going to struggle with his calf, the one thing we knew is Vinny's not good coming off the bench, Brooks is. We'd have some energy coming off the bench with Brooks. And it worked out that way."
Bollinger started one game this season, a 13-3 loss to Baltimore before Testaverde took over as the starter.
"Your mind says yes but your body isn't allowing you to, kind of my situation right now as far as starting and playing and all that kind of stuff," Testaverde said. "Brooks did a great job and looking where I'm at, he probably gives us the best chance to win right now."
Bollinger believes his teammates have confidence in him after he led such a valiant comeback, even though they felt short of the victory.
"Every time I can go out there and show those guys that I can function out there, it's going to breed confidence in them, and that's a big part of being a quarterback," Bollinger said. "They can't believe in you until you go do it."
As for the 32-year-old Chrebet, Edwards didn't want to speculate on the future of the dependable receiver. Chrebet, in his 11th season, has at least nine concussions in his college and pro career.
He was injured on a signature play: making a third-down grab with the game on the line.
"It's something Wayne's going to have to determine with the doctors," Edwards said. "He's going to have to make a decision on what he wants to do. It's always the player's decision at the end of the day. The medical people can advise people. Wayne's at the point of his career where he's going to take a long hard look at what he wants to do."
