Sunday, October 8
Lucas replaces Testaverde for Jets



EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde was knocked out of the game on the first offensive play against Pittsburgh on Sunday with a pinched nerve.

Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde holds his hand as he leaves Sunday's game with a pinched nerve.
Testaverde, who tore an Achilles' tendon in the Jets' first game last year and missed the rest of the season, was hit hard on the left shoulder and neck by linebacker Jason Gildon just as the quarterback threw the ball away.

"I had this pinched nerve for about three weeks, but it wasn't as severe as it is now," Testaverde said. "He hit me right on the exact spot. My whole left side from the shoulder to the hand went numb. It's not as bad, but my hand is still numb as I speak."

Testaverde hopes to play next Sunday at New England, but said he will have to see how practice goes during the week.

"We'll take it one day at a time," he said.

Testaverde's backup, Ray Lucas, was intercepted twice and threw for just 99 yards in the Jets' 20-3 loss.

"This loss wasn't about Ray," coach Al Groh said. "We got beat physically."







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