Trade deadline is moved to Thursday due to storm

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is tackled by the Dolphins' Jimmy Wilson during New York's 30-9 loss. On Monday, Rex Ryan said Sanchez remains his quarterback. (ROBERT DUYOS / McClatchy)

Posted: October 30, 2012

The NFL has moved its trade deadline back two days to Thursday because of potential complications from Hurricane Sandy.

All 32 teams were notified Monday that the league's offices would be closed through Tuesday because of the storm. So the deadline now is 4 p.m. Thursday, when waivers for vested veterans also begin.

This is the second time the trade deadline has been moved this year. After negotiations with the players' union, the deadline was switched from Week 6 to Oct. 30, after the games of Week 8.

Traditionally, there are few trades by the teams at the deadline. The NFL hoped the two-week change might result in more deals.

Jets stand by Sanchez

Changes might be coming for the New York Jets.

Mark Sanchez losing his starting job won't be among them.

Rex Ryan again stood by his quarterback despite Sanchez's struggles in an ugly, mistake-filled 30-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday that left the Jets coach searching for answers and fans chanting for Tim Tebow to take over.

"I think Mark's our guy," Ryan said. "I don't think there's any doubt about that. I'm confident in Mark."

There's no question, though, that the Jets (3-5) need to figure things out, and quickly. They have games at Seattle and St. Louis after their bye-week break, followed by a home game on Thanksgiving night against New England.

Ryan originally planned to have the players report to the facility on Monday and Tuesday, but decided to give them the full week off to be with their families and prepare for Hurricane Sandy.

Bronco out for season?

A person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that linebacker Joe Mays is likely out for the season after suffering a serious injury to his lower left leg in the Denver Broncos' 34-14 win over the New Orleans Saints.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because coach John Fox hadn't yet addressed the media Monday. The Denver Post first reported the extent of Mays' injury, saying he sustained a fractured fibula just above his left ankle.

Bills' Williams is upbeat

The surgery Mario Williams had to fix his sprained left wrist appears to have also done plenty in repairing the Buffalo Bills' high-priced defensive end's self-confidence.

Williams was in an upbeat mood in discussing how much better he felt physically and mentally after rejoining the Bills following the team's bye week off, and six days after having arthroscopic surgery in Alabama.

"Nobody wants me to do better than me. So definitely, with this procedure, it's definitely given me a lot of hope and a different mind-set," he said.