New York Jets QB Zach Wilson Will Miss Week 16 Game Due To Concussion
Dec 22, 2023, 9:12 AM | Updated: 9:17 am
(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson will miss the Jets’ Christmas Eve game against the Washington Commanders because of a concussion he suffered in New York’s Week 15 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Zach Wilson ruled out for Week 16
Jets head coach Robert Saleh shared the news on Friday, December 22.
The Jets will host the Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, December 24.
QB Zach Wilson (concussion) will miss Sunday's game.
DL John Franklin-Myers will not practice today, but still has a chance to play Sunday. pic.twitter.com/1CcpBBOBuu
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 22, 2023
Zach Wilson suffers concussion vs. Dolphins
The Dolphins hosted the Jets at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 17.
With a little over a minute left in the second quarter, Wilson went into the locker room and was replaced by Trevor Siemian. CBS initially reported that the Jets said Wilson went into the locker room early due to hydration.
Zach Wilson entered the locker room to get hydrated, according to @TracyWolfson pic.twitter.com/bb8v7m77KB
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 17, 2023
At the start of the second half, Siemian took the field for the Jets. CBS’ Tracy Wolfson reported that Wilson had suffered a head injury and would not return in the second half. Wolfson added that Wilson was not in concussion protocol despite having suffered a head injury.
Zach Wilson is OUT for the remainder of the game with a head injury (not in concussion protocol), per @tracywolfson .#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #NYJvsMIA #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) December 17, 2023
The Jets confirmed Wilson’s head injury a short time later and eventually clarified that Wilson was out because he was in concussion protocol.
QB Zach Wilson has been ruled out with a concussion. https://t.co/jPEPyAat8e
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 17, 2023
The former BYU star was pressured for much of his time on the field during the opening two quarters of the contest.
Before leaving the game, Wilson was 4/11 passing for 26 yards. He posted a passer rating of 44.9 and lost one fumble. Wilson was coming off of his best game of the 2023 season in which he threw for over 300 yards and led the Jets to a win over the Houston Texans in Week 14.
#Jets OL is beyond hazardous to the health of any QB that decides to line up behind it
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 17, 2023
This season, Wilson has thrown for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
New York’s game against Washington will be broadcast on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket beginning at 11 a.m. (MT).
About Zach Wilson
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.
Following his college career, the Jets selected Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
During the quarterback’s rookie season, Wilson missed four games due to a knee injury. He finished the year throwing for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 55.6 completion rate.
Before his second season, the former BYU star underwent surgery after suffering a knee injury in New York’s preseason opener.
.@ZachWilson connects with Breece Hall for his fifth touchdown pass of the season.#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #NYJvsNYG #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/HvCAv8E3cn
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 29, 2023
Without Wilson, the Jets opened the 2022 season with a 1-2 record. After returning, the Jets posted a 5-2 record before Wilson was benched for the first time. After a month on the sidelines, Wilson returned to action for a couple of contests before he was benched again.
Last season, the Jets posted a 7-10 record and missed the NFL Playoffs.
Wilson finished the 2022 season having thrown for 1,688 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 54.5 percent completion rate. He has a rating of 72.9 and a QBR of 37.1. The Jets missed the playoffs with a 7-10 record.
Wilson-to-Wilson 💥@ZachWilson throws a strike to Garrett Wilson for a 68-yard touchdown. 🎯#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #NYJvsDAL #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/p2mXPYGRpY
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 17, 2023
During his first two seasons in the league, Wilson passed for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He also ran for 287 yards and five touchdowns.
Earlier this season, the third-year player was benched for the third time in his career. Wilson is projected to finish out the 2023 campaign as New York’s QB1.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Threads (@kyleirelandksl), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl). and X (@kyleireland).