Zach Wilson Medically Cleared To Play, Could Start On Sunday Against Steelers
Sep 28, 2022, 10:02 AM
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that former BYU QB Zach Wilson is medically cleared to play and could start on Sunday.
Zach Wilson and the Jets will be on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday and the former Corner Canyon star could make his 2022 season debut.
“It’s just really exciting for him to get back on the football field,” Saleh said on Wednesday. “It’s been six weeks. There are a lot of things that have to go wrong in terms of making sure we run an efficient offense from us as coaches to the o-line to the receivers running routes, everybody is involved. It is exciting to get him back out there but at the same time it’s not all about Zach, it’s making sure we are executing on all cylinders like we should every week.”
Coach Saleh has announced that QB Zach Wilson is medically cleared to play and if all goes well this week he will start Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Ct5YqtEKY3
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 28, 2022
Wilson suffered a meniscus tear and bone bruise during New York’s first preseason game. He underwent surgery to repair the damage.
Shortly before the Jets’ regular-season opener, they ruled Wilson out until at least Week 4.
The coach spoke about his quarterback’s availability following the Jets’ Week 3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 25.
Without Wilson, the Jets have opened the 2022 season with a 1-2 record. Joe Flacco has started in place of Wilson during those three contests.
“We’ll see. You guys know more than I do,” Flacco answered reporters asking about his status for Week 4. “I’m going to keep my head down and keep working, doing all I can for this team in whatever role that may be.”
During Wilson’s rookie campaign last season, the former BYU gunslinger missed four games because of a knee injury and threw for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 55.6 completion rate.
Before his time in the NFL, the Corner Canyon High School product had a standout career at BYU. Wilson helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record during his final season in Provo.
New York’s next game is on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 2 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).