Jets to start Joe Flacco against Dolphins; Zach Wilson gets a backup assignment in week 18

Jets to start Joe Flacco against Dolphins;  Zach Wilson gets a backup assignment in week 18

The quarterback carousel in New York continues to spin.

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has been named the Jets starter for New York’s last game of the regular season on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after Mike White was ruled out after aggravating his rib injury suffered earlier in the season.

Zach Wilson, left, and Joe Flacco of the New York Jets during pregame at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Zach Wilson, the league’s No. 2 overall pick in 2021, will serve as his backup.

ZACH WILSON WOULD HAVE BENEFIT FROM SITTING BEHIND A VETERAN QUARTERBACK, SAYS JETS OC

“Mike White will also be out,” head coach Robert Saleh told reporters Friday as he reviewed the disabled list for Sunday.

White reportedly aggravated his broken ribs late in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks in week 17 and he was limited in practice Thursday.

“I just wasn’t feeling right,” Saleh said, according to the Jets’ website. “The Hail Mary at the end of the period, the sack he took, bothered him a lot even going into the second half, which clearly affected his ability to shoot the ball as everyone has seen. Watching the tape, he played very well in the first half. , he was just a little off in the second half. He’s just in a lot of pain.”

Mike White of the New York Jets looks to pass during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 1, 2023 in Seattle.

Mike White of the New York Jets looks to pass during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 1, 2023 in Seattle.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The decision to start Flacco over Wilson comes a week after the second-year pro was on the bench for the second time this season.

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“I’m going to call it the coach’s call,” Saleh said of Wilson. “I’m going to stick with him and make sure he can attack this offseason. I just want to get him in the offseason before we can start and attack the plan that we have in the building. Putting him in there right now, it’s not going to do him any Well, it’s not going to do anybody any good. For him, it’s all about 23.”

On Thursday, Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur suggested that Wilson would have benefited from sitting behind a veteran quarterback in his rookie season.

Joe Flacco of the New York Jets throws a pass in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Orchard Park, NY

Joe Flacco of the New York Jets throws a pass in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Orchard Park, NY
(Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

“In hindsight, you probably would have benefited [Wilson] sit down and learn a little bit,” LaFleur said. “And watch a veteran [quarterback] do it and grow in this league. Like in the back seat, watching. And getting better in practice and getting better through the scouting team and all that.

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“But again, that was not the direction we went. And from here, we have to pick it up. We have to pick up the leftovers and we have to get back to work.”

The Jets have lost five straight games and will miss the postseason for the 12th consecutive season.

By Loris Jones

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