Will he or won’t he? That’s the big question now surrounding Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Will he be ready to return to action in time for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens or will it be Joe Flacco?
Wilson underwent successful surgery on the knee he injured during last Friday’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Now it’s a matter of how quickly he can recover and get back on the field. The early side of his projected injury timeframe would put him right at Week 1. It’s not impossible. And “if Zach is ready to go, he’ll be the starter,” head coach Robert Saleh said Thursday. “If he’s not, Joe will.”
Wilson returned to the Jets’ practice facility Thursday and was walking around and in good spirits. The Jets will let Wilson recover at his own pace and not rush him. Saleh declined to give a specific timeframe for his return. The team won’t bring him back until he is 100%.
The likelihood continues to be that Wilson will return either in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns or Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. But the fact that Saleh hasn’t ruled Wilson out yet for Week 1 leaves at least a glimmer of hope.