NY Jets QB Zach Wilson will start on Sunday, Mike White not cleared to play

Justin Fried

NY Jets, Zach Wilson / Adam Glanzman/GettyImages

The NY Jets have continued to insist that they wanted to see Zach Wilson return to the field at some point this season. As it turns out, they're going to get their wish — only not in the way they would have hoped.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday morning that quarterback Mike White would be unable to play in this Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions after Jets doctors refused to clear him for contact.

White told reporters on Thursday that there was "no doubt" that he would play on Sunday, but evidently, the Jets' doctors had some doubt.

As a result, the newly-promoted backup Zach Wilson is set to start in White's place against the Lions as the Jets' QB carousel continues. Wilson will receive a golden opportunity with the Jets' season hanging in the balance.

Zach Wilson has a golden opportunity to prove himself to the NY Jets again

Wilson was benched following the team's ugly 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11. In his place, White has proved to be a significant upgrade despite the team falling just short in each of their last two places.

The Jets believed that Wilson needed time on the bench to hit a mental reset of sorts. He's had three weeks to get his mind right, although the Jets certainly aren't thrilled that they have to throw him back out there.

The last time we saw Wilson in action he was struggling to complete 5-yard passes and failing to spot wide-open receivers as he simply looked overwhelmed in every possible way. Have those three weeks fixed him? It's doubtful, but the Jets don't have much of a choice.

The three snaps Joe Flacco played last week certainly suggest that he isn't the answer either leaving the Jets in a very difficult position. Starting Wilson is their best option, even if it's not an overly appealing one.

All Jets fans will be rooting for Wilson to succeed on Sunday, but it sure is disheartening that the Jets finally started to receive consistent quarterback play, only for it to be taken away at the most crucial point in their season.

Zach Wilson will take the field for what is essentially a must-win game on Sunday. Here's to hoping he makes the most of his opportunity and is able to help salvage a Jets win.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.