Jets declared QB David Garrard, DB Ellis Lankster, OL Ben Ijalana, OL William Campbell, OL Oday Aboushi, TE Chris Pantale, and OLB Jermaine Cunningham inactive for Week 16 against the Browns. The Jets didn't have any players listed as questionable or out on the Week 16 injury report. Garrard is the No. 3 quarterback behind Geno Smith and Matt Simms.

According to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini, David Garrard "doesn't appear to be a factor right now" in the Jets' Week 14 quarterback decision. Cimini's "understanding" is that the decision will come down to Geno Smith or Matt Simms. Signs are now pointing toward Geno getting another start, in which he figures to again be on a short in-game leash. Garrard himself told reporters Monday that Smith will likely get the Week 14 start against the Raiders.

ESPN's Adam Schefter stated on SportsCenter early Monday that "it would not be an upset" if the Jets turned to David Garrard at quarterback for Week 14. Quietly signed off the street on October 10, Garrard was activated from the Exempt List later in the month and has been sitting on the Jets' weekly inactives list since. Geno Smith has hit rock bottom and then some, and Matt Simms didn't spark the Jets' offense off the bench in Sunday's embarrassing loss to Miami. At this point, 35-year-old Garrard is simply the team's best option. He also has internal support from first-year GM John Idzik.

Jets activated QB David Garrard from the exempt list. Signed two weeks ago, Garrard's roster exemption was set to expire. He slides in as Geno Smith's backup ahead of Matt Simms. The Jets have released Brady Quinn in a corresponding roster move. Garrard "retired" in May after he couldn't get his balky knee right, but stayed in shape. In theory, he's a more viable No. 2 than Quinn, but that's provided his body actually allows him to play. Simms is No. 3 on the depth chart.

Jets signed QB David Garrard and placed him on the Exempt List.

ESPN New York reports David Garrard was struggling to "drive the ball" on longer passes before his retirement. Garrard had been missing workouts, and "bounced some passes." In other words, his knee troubles weren't only evident to him. The Jets' main quarterback question is no longer "who will start," but "Mark Sanchez or Greg McElroy?" The Jets deemed McElroy a better option than Sanchez down the stretch last season, and could do so again unless they can't stomach the idea of releasing a player guaranteed $8.5 million. In terms of skill, the entire organization knows the Sanchez experiment is over.

Retired QB David Garrard says the Jets have offered him a coaching-intern opportunity for 2013 training camp. Garrard is strongly considering the chance to coach, which confirms his retirement at age 35 is for real. "The Jets offered me the chance to come back if I want to take a shot at that coaching thing with an internship in training camp," Garrard said. "I told them I'd talk with my wife about it, so I could still work with those guys. It's definitely something I'm considering."

Updating an earlier item, Jets QB David Garrard is retiring because of complications with his surgically-repaired knee. "My knee is not holding up," Garrard texted NFL.com's Adam Schein. "Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do." Garrard was No. 1 on the Dolphins' depth chart last summer before undergoing a supposedly "minor" knee procedure. The injury ended up costing him roster spot, while he made no free-agent visits during the regular season. Garrard's retirement throws the Jets' quarterback situation back into chaos, and creates the very real possibility they will be forced to keep Mark Sanchez and his $8.5 million salary as insurance for second-round pick Geno Smith. Garrard finishes his nine-year, 86-game career with 16,003 passing yards, an 85.8 QB rating and 89:54 TD:INT ratio.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports David Garrard has told teammates he "no longer plans to be with the Jets." Garrard told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington he'll comment on the situation "maybe tomorrow or the next day." It's unclear if Garrard is being released or retiring. Garrard was expected to compete for the Jets' No. 1 or 2 job, but now 35 years old, he hasn't attempted a pass since December 26, 2010. Garrard has been slowed by back issues since 2011, and saw his Dolphins' roster bid cut short by knee surgery last summer. Garrard's departure greatly increases the chances the Jets will keep Mark Sanchez and his $8.5 million salary.

One rival NFL executive predicted to NFL Network's Kim Jones that David Garrard will be the Jets' Week 1 starter if he stays healthy. At age 35, Garrard is an obvious health risk after undergoing knee and back surgeries over the past two offseasons. The Dolphins released Garrard last September 4, and he spent 2012 out of football. While the Jets' quarterback job is wide open to competition, we believe Garrard is a longer shot than both Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith. The best preseason QB will start on Opening Day.