Grab that eggnog Jets fans you’re gonna need it.
Head Coach Robert Saleh told reporters this afternoon that quarterback Mike White has not been cleared for contact, even though he was cleared for practice. This is a slight 180 from what Saleh said earlier in the week in the wake of the Jets loss to Buffalo when he said that White would be his starter if healthy.
Instead Zach Wilson, who was benched four weeks ago for his inconsistent, poor play will get the nod on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Mike White will be out for the Jets on Sunday.
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 16, 2022
Zach Wilson will be the Jets' starting QB. pic.twitter.com/rir4icedM3
The last time Wilson saw the field, the Jets offense put up only three-points in a 10-3 loss to New England. Wilson completed only seven passes that day, and when pressed later if he felt he let the defense down with his performance, he uttered a one-word “no” in response.
White has started the past three games. While the Jets were 1-2 in those games, White lit a fire into the offense. They scored 31 points against Chicago, and lost one-score games to Minnesota and Buffalo. White had the Jets at the doorstep of an upset win over Minnesota, but Braxton Berrios dropped the game winning touchdown pass.
White was injured last week against Buffalo when he took multiple hits to the ribs, and left the game twice. He came back each time, and finished the game. On Monday Saleh and White said the quarterback was feeling fine, and the assumption was he would prepare to start.
On Wednesday, Wilson was announced as the back-up quarterback to White. Now Wilson will start. It will be amazing to see what kind of reaction fans give Wilson when he returns to the field.
This is not the first time the Jets have had to change course on an injury. In training camp when Meckhi Becton injured his knee, the early diagnosis was day-to-day which quickly turned into a season ending injury.
