You can follow the game between the Jets and the Jaguars Thursday evening from 8 p.m. on RDS2 and RDS.ca.
FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey – New York Jets will place their hopes of making the playoffs in the hands of Zach Wilsonwho will be the starting quarterback on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coach Robert Saleh, who announced the decision on Tuesday, seemed to imply he didn’t really have a choice in making the decision. Mike Whitewho fractured his ribs nine days ago and didn’t play in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, still hasn’t been cleared by doctors according to Saleh.
The Jets (7-7) have lost three straight games and their odds of making the playoffs are now 13%, data shows.ESPN.
Wilson, who returned to action against the Lions after being benched for three games, had his ups and downs in this game. He showed the arm strength that prompted the Jets to pick him second overall in the 2021 draft, with 317 yards and two touchdown passes. However, he missed several passes to free receivers and threw a costly interception in the third quarter.
In the end, Wilson is 5-3 as the starting quarterback. In a turbulent year at quarterback, the Jets have also bet on Joe Flacco (1-2) and White (1-2) at the starting position.
When he benched Wilson on November 23, Saleh said his intentions were to bring Wilson back into the lineup before the end of the season – but obviously not in this way.
White changed plans with strong performances and probably would have remained the starting quarterback as long as the Jets’ chances were still alive. He did, however, suffer a rib injury after contact from Matt Milano on December 11, causing two broken bones.
Kenny Pickett back with the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is expected to leave concussion protocol this week, clearing the way for him to start Saturday’s game against Las Vegas.
Pickett did not play in Sunday’s 24-16 win over Carolina after suffering his second concussion in two months in a loss to Baltimore on Dec. 11. Mitch Trubisky played well as a replacement, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickett will play the Raiders (6-8) if there is no setback.
Tomlin also expects linebacker Myles Jack to play after missing the game against the Panthers with a groin injury. Safety Terrell Edmunds, receiver Diontae Johnson and Derek Watt are struggling with minor injuries that shouldn’t affect their availability.
Pittsburgh (6-8) has won four of its last six games.
