Jets' Zach Wilson Expected to Be Cleared For Return in Week 4

Zach Wilson is in line to make his 2022 debut next week against the Steelers, which was the plan all along.

Max Goodman | Sep 25, 2022

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New York Jets

Joe Flacco gets the start for the Jets on Sunday against the Bengals, an opportunity for the veteran to secure the 100th win of his NFL career.

Flacco has done a great job filling in for an injured Zach Wilson so far this season, orchestrating an offense that's relied heavily on the pass so far in 2022.

As Flacco takes care of business in Week 3, however, all parties involved understand this is in all likelihood the vet's final opportunity at the helm in green and white, barring any setbacks or unforeseen circumstances.

The plan before the season was for Wilson to return in Week 4 against the Steelers as he works back from knee surgery on a non-contact injury he sustained in the preseason.

Looks like that plan is coming to fruition.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Sunday morning that Wilson is expected to be cleared by doctors for next week, putting him in line to officially kick off his sophomore season in Pittsburgh next week.

With no setbacks and continued progress as he recovers from a meniscus tear and bone bruise in his knee, #Jets QB Zach Wilson is expected to be cleared by doctors next week, sources say. That puts him in line to play against the Steelers in Week 4.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2022

Considering how well Flacco has played up to this point, surely the organization has weighed all options. Even if Wilson is inching closer to a clean bill of health, New York is coming off a stunning win over the Browns with an opportunity to hand the defending AFC champs their third straight loss to begin the year.

Is there any chance that Flacco could remain under center, even when Wilson is ready to return?

Jets head coach Robert Saleh put that question to bed while speaking to reporters earlier this week.

"No, Zach is the future of the organization, we all know that. As soon as the doctors clear him, we will get him on the field" he said.

That's the right approach. Regardless of how Flacco is playing, Wilson's development is key for this franchise. They need Wilson to blossom into the quarterback they drafted him to be if New York wants to achieve continued success and contend going forward.

Everything is subject to change in this league, but all signs point toward Wilson's return next week. The question is, will he join a club riding a two-game winning streak or a team hoping to get back to .500 in Week 4?

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Published Sep 25, 2022

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.