The New York Jets will reportedly return rookie quarterback Zach Wilson to the starting lineup this week against the Houston Texans, but it sounds like they may not have much of a choice. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Field Yates reported that the Jets had placed quarterbacks Mike White and Joe Flacco on the reserve/COVID-19 list. According to Adam Schefter, White tested positive for the coronavirus while Flacco was deemed a close contact.
Per Schefter, veteran signal-caller Josh Johnson is “poised” to be promoted from the practice squad to back up Wilson on Sunday. Wilson has missed the last four games due to what was reported to be a strained PCL. The recovery timetable was reported to be 2-4 weeks, and he’s now four weeks past the injury. The Jets have gone 1-3 without Wilson in the lineup, and have started both White and Flacco.
In New York’s first game without Wilson, White led the Jets to a 34-31 upset victory over the Cincinnati Bengals while throwing for 405 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was injured early in the 45-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts the next week, but returned to the starting lineup the following week and flopped. White threw for 251 yards and four interceptions in the 45-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Flacco then took over under center this past Sunday, and threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns as the Jets fell to the Miami Dolphins, 24-17.
It’s only Tuesday, so it’s possible one or even both quarterbacks could be active for the Jets on Sunday. If not, it appears first-year head coach Robert Saleh will head to Houston with just Wilson and Johnson.
