Jets bench Sanchez, will start McElroy vs. Chargers

NEW YORK — Mark Sanchez is no longer the New York Jets’ franchise quarterback.

He might not even be the backup.

Rex Ryan decided to bench Sanchez on Tuesday in favor of Greg McElroy after the fourth-year quarterback had another miserable performance in a 14-10 loss at Tennessee on Monday night that eliminated New York from playoff contention.

“I think it’s best for our team, and for this game,” Ryan said during a conference call.

So, it’ll be McElroy under center for his first NFL start when the Jets (6-8) play the San Diego Chargers at home Sunday. Ryan hasn’t decided whether Sanchez or Tim Tebow — listed as the No. 2 quarterback — will be the backup.

While Sanchez blew the second chance Ryan gave him a few weeks ago, Tebow was leapfrogged by a third-stringer, fueling speculation that the team has little confidence in him as a quarterback.

Sanchez threw four interceptions Monday night and wasn’t able to handle a low snap with the game on the line, ending the Jets’ hopes to get back into the postseason.

Things got worse after the game for Sanchez, who received a series of death threats from one disgruntled fan on Twitter. League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL’s security staff was aware of the man’s threats and was working with the Jets to assist on the matter. The team declined comment through a spokesman.

Ryan said after the loss that he wasn’t ready to decide who would start against the Chargers, but told Sanchez he would be making a change at quarterback by going with either McElroy or Tebow.

After talking to his staff and members of the organization Tuesday, Ryan chose McElroy.

But Ryan was vague in his answers to why he selected McElroy above Tebow, choosing after being asked several times to not go into detail about what specifically factored into the decision.

McElroy, a seventh-round pick last year out of Alabama, helped lead the Jets to a 7-6 win over Arizona on Dec. 2 when Ryan pulled Sanchez from that game late in the third quarter. McElroy had modest numbers — 5 of 7 for 29 yards — but threw for the only touchdown of the game, and nearly led another scoring drive as the Jets ran out the clock.

Ryan decided to stick with Sanchez after that game, saying that the one-time face of the franchise gave the Jets their best chance at winning as they remained in the playoff hunt.

But Sanchez struggled in a 17-10 win over Jacksonville and again even more in the loss to Tennessee. McElroy, who gave the Jets a huge spark in his first NFL action, was inactive for both games. That hurt New York on Monday night when Ryan was unable to turn to McElroy since he was not in uniform for the game. Instead, Ryan went to Tebow for one series — which had been part of the game plan — but it was unproductive and Sanchez came back in for the next offensive possession.

Bolts place Mathews,

Floyd, Wells on IR

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers have placed running back Ryan Mathews, wide receiver Malcom Floyd and tackle Reggie Wells on season-ending injured reserve.

All three were injured in a 31-7 loss to Carolina on Sunday that eliminated the Bolts from playoff contention.

Mathews broke his left collarbone, Floyd sustained an ankle injury and Wells had ankle and toe injuries.

Mathews, who broke his right collarbone on his first carry of the exhibition season, played in 12 regular-season games. He was the team’s leading rusher with 707 yards and a touchdown on 184 carries.

Floyd led the Chargers with 56 catches for 814 yards and five touchdowns. Wells spent time on the Chargers’ roster early in the season and then returned on Dec. 5. He started the past two games at right tackle.

The Chargers filled two of the vacancies on the active roster Tuesday by signing wide receiver Mike Willie and defensive end Damik Scafe from the practice squad.

Cruz visits home

of fan killed in Conn.

NEWTOWN, Conn. — New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz has visited the home of the 6-year-old Connecticut shooting victim who was buried in a replica Cruz jersey.

Jack Pinto was among 20 children shot to death Friday in Newtown. Several elementary school-age children played touch football in the front yard of his family’s home Tuesday. Many wore Giants jerseys or Newtown football or wrestling shirts as they laughed, smiled and hugged.

The children and their families left after several hours. Kids carried autographed Giants footballs and jerseys.

About 45 minutes later, Cruz left the home in an SUV and an escort of five police cruisers, sirens blaring. He later tweeted that he has “much love to the entire Pinto family. Great people with huge hearts.”

Several people leaving the home confirmed Cruz was there.

Bears place Bush

on IR with rib injury

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have placed running back Michael Bush on season-ending injured reserve because of a rib injury and signed Kahlil Bell to take his place.

Losing Bush is another blow for the struggling Bears. They’ve dropped five of six after a 7-1 start and are coming off a loss to Green Bay that clinched the NFC North for the Packers.

Chicago needs help to make the playoffs after leading the division for much of the season, and losing Bush does not make things any easier.

Signed to a four-year deal to give the Bears depth in the backfield with Matt Forte, Bush appeared in 13 games and ran for 411 yards and five touchdowns.

Bell was waived by Chicago in October.

The moves were announced on Tuesday.

Steelers’ Taylor to

miss 3rd straight game

PITTSBURGH — The boot is off Ike Taylor’s fractured ankle.

It’s still too soon, however, for the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback to slip his cleats back on.

Taylor will miss his third straight game on Sunday when the Steelers (7-7) try to revive their postseason hopes against Cincinnati (8-6) in a game that will likely define the season of both teams.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he’s encouraged by Taylor’s progress but that Pittsburgh’s secondary will have to find a way to defend Cincinnati’s deep group of receivers without its best cornerback.