Lincoln Financial Field became a field of screams for Zach Wilson and the New York Jets
What a year this week has been for the New York Jets.
A metropolitan nightmare ensued on the turf of Lincoln Financial Field on Friday night. Not only was Zach Wilson intercepted on Gang Green’s opening possession against the hosting Philadelphia Eagles, but the second-year franchise quarterback was forced to leave the game with an apparent lower-body injury.
Wilson was forced into an early comeback effort after the Eagles jumped out to an early 7-0 lead courtesy of Dallas Goedert’s 22-yard touchdown grab from Jalen Hurts. He converted a nine-yard third down by finding Tyler Conklin for 10 on the third play of the drive, but a second down toss to Corey Davis was not as lucrative.
Trying to find Davis in a tight window, Wilson was intercepted by Philadelphia newcomer Kyzir White, who took the ball back to the Jets’ 20. Jason Huntley made it a two-score game via a one-yard rush seven plays later.
Four plays into the preseason … Zach Wilson throws an interception 😬
📽️: @NFL | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/roSx7zJJqq
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 12, 2022
Wilson would enter the regular season on an active streak of 162 consecutive passes without an interception after throwing 11 over his first nine appearances—assuming he’s healthy to enter the regular season.
Further promise on the Jets’ next drive likewise gave way to disaster. Wilson converted another third down with a nine-yard tally to Elijah Moore but his seven-yard scramble on the next play proved disastrous.
Zach Wilson comes up limping after an awkward cut while scrambling. #Jets pic.twitter.com/YkOYZ5sL6f
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 13, 2022
In an attempt to gain extra yardage, Wilson’s juke led to the apparent injury. He tried to walk off the ailment with a noticeable limp but was eventually convinced to fall to the ground by teammates, stopping play while the New York training staff attended to him.
Wilson gingerly walked to the locker room under the supervision of the trainers. The Jets diagnosed him with a knee injury and labeled a return that will likely never come as “questionable.”
Mike White took over for Wilson on what became a 16-play, 65-yard drive that eventually yielded a short Eddy Pineiro field goal. Wilson ended the day with a 3 of 5 stat-line for 23 yards and the interception.
Philadelphia leads New York 14-3 at the midway mark of the second quarter.
I would rather see Flacco start the season. I really dont want to waste any more time on Zach “Trying to develope into an NFL QB on sundays”. He can do that during practice and by watching Flacco during gamedays on the sidelines. Decisions need to be made now before the season starts. Wins are critical and there is not any time to be Questioning his development. Bottom line is he did not look like a starting QB and gave up points with the INT. The offence looked alot better with Zach not in the game.
I hope he’s okay.
I don’t even know what to say. Is there anybody who doesn’t think this is a torn ACL at this point? It’s a joke. I’m so tired of some teams being the luckiest franchise in the history of sports and every season being over before it begins for others.