Falcons vs. Jets Preseason: Will New York Play Starters?

The annual preseason dilemma strikes the Falcons' opponent.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 21, 2022

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their second preseason game against the New York Jets, and while this game will likely serve as a dress rehearsal for Marcus Mariota and the first-string offense, the same can't be said for their opponent.

The injury bug has stung no team more than the Jets, who already have lost starting tackle Mekhi Becton for the season and saw quarterback Zach Wilson suffer a knee injury in the team's first preseason game. On the defensive side of the ball, Carl Lawson has already suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

The injuries devastating the team have made the decision on whether to play his starters even more difficult for Jets coach Robert Saleh.

"I'm torn on it," Saleh said Saturday. "I wake up one day and I'm like, 'OK, they're going to play.' The next day I wake up and they're not going to play."

With Wilson out, the team is expected to trot out former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco as the team's starter. Flacco, 37, is an established veteran who doesn't need the reps to get ready for the season. If he were to get injured, it would turn the team's quarterback situation from dire to a hellfire.

While the Falcons would hope to see some of the Jets starters play for their own development, the team is going to play and compete against whoever is on the other side of the football.

The Falcons and Jets face off on Monday Night Football tomorrow night. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Published Aug 21, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.