The Jets are searching for a third-string quarterback after Greg McElroy had thumb surgery Friday morning. McElroy, who was injured Thursday in a preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. As they move forward without McElroy, a promising rookie popped his right thumb back into place after banging it against a teammate's helmet. However, the Jets will monitor teams' roster cuts to gauge potential fits behind Mark Sanchez and Mark Brunell. One option could be bringing back Kellen Clemens, who played five seasons with the Jets and is in camp with the Washington Redskins. McElroy will be out indefinitely, but the Jets do not intend to place him on injured reserve, according to a team spokesman. Brunell, who has had a pulled calf muscle, did not play during the preseason, but coach Rex Ryan said he was confident that Brunell would be ready for the Sept. 11 opener against Dallas. Dodge waits Giants punter Matt Dodge is planning to move out of his apartment Saturday, but Dodge, who has competed with Steve Weatherford for a roster spot during the past few weeks, said his packing plans should not be taken as a sign of pessimism. “My lease just ran out,” he explained. The Giants must reduce their roster to 53 players by 6 P.M. Saturday, and the battle between Dodge and Weatherford is one of the more intriguing issues to be settled. Other difficult decisions could include the choice at backup quarterback (Sage Rosenfels or David Carr) and which linebackers will be picked to provide depth. Young injured Eagles quarterback Vince Young has a hamstring strain, and his status is considered day-to-day. Young, the backup to Michael Vick, was injured Thursday against the Jets and may be limited when practice picks up Monday, although no one seems all that concerned. Redskins explain suspension The league said Washington Redskins cornerback Phillip Buchanon's four-game suspension was for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the suspension Friday. Coach Mike Shanahan said that Buchanon would be suspended for the first four games of the regular season, but Shanahan did not reveal why. Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams and three others were suspended for the first two games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, ending a three-year court fight. The others were New Orleans defensive end Will Smith and two players without teams: defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Charles Grant.
