Zach Wilson avoids injured reserve
Per Connor Hughes of The Athletic, the New York Jets have no plans to place franchise quarterback Zach Wilson on injured reserve.
Source: After assessing him this week, the #Jets have decided NOT to place Zach Wilson on injured reserve. Believe there is a chance he can play vs #Bills
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 30, 2021
Placing Wilson on injured reserve would leave him sidelined for a minimum of three games.
Wilson, the second overall pick from April’s draft proceedings, was diagnosed with a sprained PCL after leaving the Jets’ Week 7 tilt in New England with a second-quarter injury.
The rookie has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Mike White will assume quarterback duties, reprising his role from the 54-13 loss to the Patriots.
Wilson was projected to miss two to four weeks after leaving the New England game. He has a chance to return as soon as Week 10, when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills.
#Jets will start Mike White against #Bengals. They will then reassess QB situation before Thursday night’s game vs #Colts.
If White plays well, he will start again. If not, Flacco will start.
No guarantee Wilson ready for Bills, but #Jets feel there’s a chance. https://t.co/1098bgQZCr
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 30, 2021
In the meantime, the Jets will try to make do with White and/or Joe Flacco leading the way.
Gang Green (1-5) reacquired Flacco – their primary backup in 2020 – from Philadelphia for a conditional sixth-round pick earlier this week, though the Super Bowl MVP will not dress for the showdown with the AFC-leading Bengals. Well-traveled veteran Josh Johnson has been elevated from the practice squad and is set to serve as White’s backup for the game.
The sixth-round pick sent by New York to Philadelphia will turn into a fifth-round pick if Flacco plays more than half of the Jets’ offensive snaps in four games.
Get Started: Learn More About Becoming A Jet X Member
The Jets are expected to re-evaluate their quarterback situation after the Bengals game. A strong performance from White should allow him to maintain the job for the Jets’ ensuing Thursday night game against the Colts, but if White struggles, Flacco could take his place.
White, a 2018 draft pick in Dallas, made his regular-season debut in New England and threw for 202 yards and two interceptions, though he found Corey Davis for a touchdown on his first official pass.
Flacco was Philadelphia’s primary backup behind Jalen Hurts but did not appear in any games this season. He started four games for the Jets in place of Sam Darnold last year, earning an 0-4 record but throwing six touchdowns to only three interceptions.
The Voorhees, N.J. native notably threw three touchdown passes during a prime-time showdown against the Patriots last November. His 128.7 passer rating in that game was the best from a Jets quarterback since Geno Smith posted a perfect rating (158.3) to close the 2014 season.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
