| | HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- New York Jets quarterback Ray
Lucas, primarily a special teamer who was elevated to starter on
Sunday, will miss between three and four weeks due to a sprained
left ankle.
Lucas suffered the injury on the final play of Sunday's 16-13
loss to Indianapolis. He was sacked by Ellis Johnson before
another defender fell on his leg.
A third-year pro out of Rutgers, Lucas had never started an NFL
game but was given the chance over Rick Mirer, a first-year Jet
who likely will return as starter Sunday in Oakland. Punter Tom
Tupa is the only other quarterback on the Jets roster.
"All we know is he has a high ankle sprain," Jets coach Bill
Parcells said. "He will not be able to play this week and we'll
get Rick ready to play.
"It's a tough injury for us because I thought Ray gave us a
spark yesterday, but then he made that big mistake at the end."
Lucas, who had attempted only seven passes in his career before
Sunday, was 16-of-30 for 137 yards and a touchdown and threw a
critical interception in the fourth quarter before the decisive
field goal.
Lucas is a versatile player who excels on special teams and is a
favorite of Parcells because of his ability to play quarterback
and receiver.
He was signed as a free agent by Parcells with New England in
1996, then joined the coach again after being waived by the
Patriots the following year.
Mirer missed a number of open receivers in a 16-6 loss to
Jacksonville last Monday night. The previous week he had his
best game as a Jet, completing 17-of-28 passes for 242 yards and
two touchdowns with two interceptions in a 21-13 win over
Denver.
However, Mirer failed to get the Jets into the end zone and was
19-of-38 for 164 yards with two interceptions in the loss to the
Jaguars.
The Jets are last in the AFC East with a 1-5 record. They lost
starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the season opener with
a torn Achilles tendon. Mirer, who was acquired in late August,
moved in as the starter the following week.
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