Mark Gastineau was placed on the reserve...

Mark Gastineau was placed on the reserve retired list by the New York Jets. The defensive end has until Nov. 19 to reconsider his decision to quit.

After that, Gastineau can’t return until next season. If he wants to return then, he will not have to go through waivers.

Gastineau said he decided to retire after learning that his fiancee, Brigitte Nielsen, has uterine cancer. Nielsen will have a biopsy Monday in Phoenix, her publicist said. Nielsen and Gastineau are staying with Gastineau’s mother in Eagar, Ariz.