Zach Wilson has gone from starter to third-string quarterback and back again in three weeks for the New York Jets.
Wilson, according to coach Robert Saleh, “gives us the best chance to win” when the Jets face the Houston Texans in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday.
Wilson, who had been benched three times in the previous two seasons for ineffective play, was demoted last month after the Jets (4-8) lost 32-6 to the Buffalo Bills. However, in two starts, replacement Tim Boyle threw one touchdown pass and three interceptions, leading to his abrupt release this week following New York’s 13-8 loss to the visiting Atlanta Falcons.
Wilson takes the field on Sunday as Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles rehab continues. Trevor Siemian will serve as his backup, and Brett Rypien, who was signed off the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, will serve as the team’s emergency third quarterback.
Wilson was reportedly hesitant to accept the starting job again due to “perceived injury risk,” but after meeting with the former No. 2 overall draft pick, Saleh said that wasn’t the case.
“I am not concerned one bit about that report within the locker room,” Saleh went on to say.
While New York has little chance of making the AFC playoffs, the Texans (7-5) are right in the thick of things.
Last Sunday, Houston defeated the Denver Broncos 22-17 for the fourth time in five weeks. Following their game against the Jets, the Texans have three division games in the next four weeks, including two against the last-place Tennessee Titans.
Houston and Indianapolis are tied in the AFC South, one game behind Jacksonville heading into the final stretch. The Texans are firmly in the running for a wild-card spot.
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” said Texans cornerback Desmond King II. “We’ve got an opportunity to make a run into the playoffs, and we’ve got something special.”
Houston’s victory over the Broncos came at a price. Tank Dell (47 receptions, 709 yards, team-high seven touchdown catches) suffered a fractured fibula and will miss the rest of the season. The Texans will have to rely more on Nico Collins (59-991-6) and Noah Brown (21-439-1) at wideout without Dell.
C.J. Stroud has stated that he will miss Dell, but the rookie quarterback is on a roll, leading the NFL in passing yards with 3,540. He is aided by a Houston defense that ranks ninth in the league against the run (97 yards per game) and allows just 20.8 points per game, which is comparable to the Jets’ 20.9.
DeMeco Ryans, the Texans’ first-year head coach, and Saleh will meet again on Sunday. From 2017 to 2020, Ryans worked on Saleh’s defensive staff with the San Francisco 49ers. When Saleh left for the Jets, Ryans was promoted to defensive coordinator.
“I learned how to coach from being under Saleh,” Ryans said in a statement. “He taught me a lot about scheme, about just dealing with players and game-planning….” He’s probably the reason I’m standing here in front of you, because he took me under his wing and taught me the ropes.”
The Texans signed safety Adrian Amos on Wednesday, after the Jets unexpectedly released him on Saturday after 11 games (three starts) this season. Amos has 10 interceptions and six sacks in nine NFL seasons.
Breece Hall, the Jets’ leading rusher, missed practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. He was questionable for last week’s game due to a hamstring injury, but he played anyway. Rodgers, wide receiver Jason Brownlee (ankle), offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (calf), and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (ankle) were also out for the Giants on Wednesday.
Due to injuries, four Texans did not practice on Wednesday: tackles Laremy Tunsil (knee) and George Fant (hip), linebacker Neville Hewitt (hamstring), and safety Jimmie Ward (shoulder). Brown (knee), tight end Dalton Schultz (hamstring), and rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (shoulder) were all limited.
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