NEW YORK — Heading into Thursday’s critical matchup against the Jaguars, the former No. 2 overall pick could get another opportunity to start this week.
Jets coach Robert Saleh was noncommittal about who would start against the Jaguars this week. Mike White, who started three games this season after the team benched former first-round pick, Zach Wilson. White is dealing with fractured ribs as doctors are still evaluating him for contact activities.
White practiced last week on a limited basis, but close to 10 different doctors failed to give him clearance to play against the Lions on Sunday. He suffered the injury during the loss against the Bills on Dec. 11 as he was knocked out of the game twice before returning.
“That’s going to be with him and all the different opinions that he is getting outside of the building in regards to getting more scans,” Saleh said about White’s status. “A lot of doctor talk, I’m not going to get into it here, but there’s more scans to see how much he’s healed.
“There was talk that they felt like a week could show some more healing that will allow him to get on the field. That’s something he would have to get from another doctor and still be able to talk to our doctor about too. So they’re a lot of hurdles that he would have to go through.”
Wilson played in place of White as he had an inconsistent outing against Detroit. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. However, Wilson’s third-quarter interception proved to be costly in a 20-17 loss to the Lions. He also missed several open receivers, particularly during the second half.
Despite his uneven performance, Saleh said Wilson played well and showed a lot of maturity.
“This kid is going to be a good quarterback,” Saleh said. “The NFL and this new instant coffee world that we’re in does not want to give people time. We look at him and nitpick with a fine tooth comb everything that he does and rightfully so, it is what it is.
“He did a lot of really good things and we are going to try our best to focus on the things that he did good and make sure that we try to bring that to life and we will continue to work on the things that we need to improve on.
“He came out in the second half. I think we all agree, he was missing on some throws, he was missing on some reads. But for him to kind of get himself back on track, I thought that was really good by him and I big step in the direction that he had been struggling with in the past. He just showed some maturation in my mind to mental fortitude in terms of getting back on track and finding a way to finish the game strong.”
Saleh benched Wilson following the Jets’ 10-3 loss to the Patriots on Nov. 20. Now it appears the Jets will have to lean on the second-year player in a must-win situation Thursday night.
Gang Green has lost three consecutive games and five of their last seven. Right now, the Jets are the ninth seed in the AFC. With three games remaining in the season, the margin for error is slim if the Jets are going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Due to tiebreakers with other conference teams, the Jets may have all three of their games to qualify for the postseason.
With it being a shorter week, the Jets will need to name a starter sooner rather than later.
“I really don’t have a timeframe for this one,” Saleh said. “The good thing is it is all walkthrough. Just like last week, he is cleared to practice and walkthrough and do everything.
“So he (White) is going to participate as he normally would. But at the same time, you want your quarterback to take all of those walkthrough reps. So we gotta make a decision.”
Injuries
The Jets are optimistic that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who missed the game against the Lions because of a calf injury, could play against the Jaguars. According to Saleh, Williams was 50-50 to play against the Lions, but he says that was more “wishful thinking.”
“Obviously, he has to do a couple of things, but he is better than 50-50 this week,” Saleh said.
Gang Green is also confident that wide receiver Corey Davis (concussion) should be “ready to roll” on Thursday against the Jaguars. Davis missed Sunday’s game against the Lions after he was placed in the concussion protocol after a head injury against the Bills on Dec. 11.
Wide receiver Denzel Mims, who suffered a concussion against the Lions, will likely be out against the Lions. During the first quarter, Mims took a hit while completing a catch in traffic as he was slow to get up and was escorted off the field by trainers. Mims was later ruled out shortly during the second quarter.
Running back Zonovan “Bam” Knight will be listed as questionable to play against the Jaguars as he is dealing with an ankle injury. But Saleh says Knight’s arrow is “pointing up” in terms of playing.
Wide receiver Jeff Smith (knee), who didn’t finish the game against the Lions, will be questionable to play as well as safety Lamarcus Joyner (hip). Cornerback Brandin Echols (quad) will be out.
