New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has had an up-and-down journey with the team. After being benched several times, this week he will sit out with a concussion.
Zach Wilson Injury Update
Wilson left last Sunday’s contest late in the second quarter. He was examined in the team’s medical tent and replaced by Trevor Siemian on the Jets’ final drive of the first half.
In the third quarter, the Jets announced that Wilson was ruled out with a concussion.
Interestingly, Wilson’s mother, Lisa, said on social media that he attempted to conceal his concussion symptoms on Sunday before he eventually was ruled out of the team’s 30-0 loss to the Dolphins.
The Dolphins sacked Wilson four times during his time on the field. Ultimately, Wilson didn’t leave the game until he started having “blurred vision” and problems with his “depth perception,” according to his mother.
Wilson finished the game with a 4-of-11 passing performance for 26 yards.
On Friday, head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Wilson would not clear concussion protocol in time for the team’s matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday and has been ruled out. In his place, the Jets will turn to Siemian.
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This was Wilson’s second stint as New York’s starter after taking over for the injured Aaron Rodgers in the opener. The Jets went 3-6 with Wilson as their starter before the team opted to bench him in Week 11 and Week 12.
He got the start again in Week 13 where he had his best performance of the season, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns, which resulted in him winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Rumor had it Rodgers may become available this week should Wilson need to sit out, but Rodgers and Saleh have dispelled those rumors.
The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention after last week’s loss at Miami, coupled with victories by Houston and Cleveland. Thus, Rodgers made it clear that he would not be playing Sunday.
“Still, in a hypothetical world, if we [would have won on] Sunday, then I’d need to go through a week of 11-on-11 practice, taking team reps to see how I respond to that and how much I can move in the pocket, seeing if I can get out of the pocket,” he said.
“There still would have been a conversation. It wouldn’t have been, ‘Hey you are activated and you are for sure playing.’ Being a competitor, I would have pushed it as fast as I could this week, but it still would have been a conversation.”
Head coach Robert Saleh also shut down the proposition of Rodgers playing on Sunday.
“Aaron wants to play. Let’s not confuse that one,” Saleh said. “That’s why he’s been working so hard to get back. His willingness to play, even if he’s not 100%, is at the forefront of his mind. He wants to go, but until he’s actually cleared, I’m not going to talk about it with anybody.”
Instead, Brett Rypien, who the Jets signed off of the Seahawks practice squad on Dec. 5 in conjunction with releasing Tim Boyle, will back up Siemian.
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