Matt Simms activated as Jets' third QB

Could Geno Smith be the quarterback stuck holding the clipboard Sunday against the Chiefs?

As we've seen with the Jets (1-7), anything is possible.

Before players boarded a flight to Kansas City Saturday afternoon, the Jets announced that quarterback Matt Simms had been signed off the practice squad to the active roster. In a corresponding move, the team released wide receiver Chris Owusu.

Simms spent the 2013 season as the backup to Smith, whom the Jets drafted 39th overall that year. Simms saw action three times after Smith was benched and finished the year 16-for-31 for 156 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Adding Simms to the active roster seemed inevitable after Smith hurt his throwing shoulder and was benched in the first quarter of last week's 43-23 loss to the Bills. On Monday, Rex Ryan announced that Michael Vick would be his starter against the Chiefs (4-3).

Smith began the week unable to throw in practice because of shoulder soreness. He practiced fully on Friday but is listed as questionable for the game. It'll be the first time he hasn't started a game since his freshman year at West Virginia, he said.

Though Smith reportedly has said his shoulder feels better, his injury is a ready-made excuse for a coaching staff that is desperate for an offensive spark. The Jets are ranked 28th in overall offense and Smith was demoted after throwing three interceptions in a span of six plays against Buffalo.

Then again, the Jets could decide to dress all three quarterbacks just to be on the safe side. Given Vick's run-first-throw-later style of play and his propensity for getting hurt, Ryan might have to turn to Simms (who has spent the entire season on the practice squad) or Smith (who has 31 interceptions in 24 career games).

Smith, who last spoke to reporters on Wednesday, said he plans to be prepared to play Sunday even if he never gets the chance. "I'm just going to stay right in Marty [Mornhinweg]'s hip pocket and obviously do whatever I can to keep the guys emotionally ready and keep myself ready," he said.

"It's often said that the backup quarterback job is one of the toughest jobs, so this is my first time experiencing that. I know that I have to be ready to go out there no matter what is going on. I have to be ready to play and I will be."

Ryan said on Monday that he hoped Smith would be healthy enough to play should Vick be taken out for any reason. "But again," he added, "I did mention to Simms he does need to be ready, just in case."

Cornerback Darrin Walls (calf/knee) was downgraded to out and did not travel with the team.