Cautious New York Jets sit quarterback Mark Sanchez

TAMPA — For the third straight week, the Bucs will face a backup quarterback.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that rookie QB Mark Sanchez will not start Sunday against Tampa Bay, saying they will play it safe with the first-round pick's sprained right knee. Fourth-year pro Kellen Clemens will start. Erik Ainge is the No. 3 QB.

Sanchez, who has started every game since being drafted fifth overall, was injured Dec. 3 against the Bills. While Ryan said Sanchez has progressed a lot since, after the coach met with team doctors Wednesday, he believed this was the "smart decision."

"It's unfortunate that Mark can't play, because I know he wanted to," Ryan said. "He's upset with me for making the decision when I did. But I'm doing it for the best interest of him and our football team."

"It's just a frustrating part of this game," a clearly irritated Sanchez said. "I asked him if I could at least try to practice (today) and he said, 'No way, because I know if you practice tomorrow, then you're going to play, and we don't want to run any risk of further injury.' It's difficult to handle."

Clemens has started eight games in his career, but this will be his first since the final game of the 2007 season. Ryan pointed out that because Clemens has been with the Jets for four years "he actually knows the system better than Mark does" and "our game plan won't change a bit."

The Jets boast the NFL's top rushing attack, and Bucs coach Raheem Morris expects a heavy dose of that Sunday. New York RB Thomas Jones already has 1,068 yards.

"They're going to probably play the same game," Morris said. "Their game plan is to run the football, and they do that well. That's what they'll do."

DOUBLE DUTY: The defense has shown improvement in the last couple of games since Morris has served as the defensive coordinator, and the head coach hasn't ruled out continuing to call defensive plays next season. "I don't know, I kind of like the joystick right now," Morris said. "I've got the joystick in my hand, and I'm liking what I got. We'll have to see."

INJURY REPORT: The Bucs could get a big boost in the secondary Sunday as CB Aqib Talib returned to full participation at practice and is expected to play. Talib left the Falcons game Nov. 29 early with a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss last week's game as well.

DT Roy Miller, who missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury, was also back and expects to play.

WR Michael Clayton (knee), who didn't practice Wednesday, said he's about "85 percent" and hopes to play Sunday, but if not, he expects to be ready the next week.

Morris has said because of how hard Clayton plays, the receiver can be more effective when he plays just 30-40 snaps. Clayton said he understands the situation.

"That was five weeks ago when we talked about that," Clayton said. "… Raheem knows how I play. I'm accepting that role. It's my job. … I've been able to get some plays, regardless of how many plays I'm out there."

CB Derrick Roberson (groin) and TE Kellen Winslow (knee) did not participate Wednesday. LB Geno Hayes (hamstring) was limited.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.