NY Jets QB Zach Wilson exits game with non-contact knee injury

The NY Jets coaching staff, front office, organization, and collective fan base are holding their breaths after quarterback Zach Wilson exited Friday's preseason game with an apparent non-contact knee injury.

Wilson appeared to injure his knee after scrambling on a 1st-and-10 with around four minutes remaining in the first quarter. The second-year QB attempted to juke out a defender and stepped awkwardly with his right knee.

The Jets later announced that Wilson was questionable to return with a knee injury, although it seems highly unlikely that he does return to the game.

That right knee is notably the same knee that Wilson injured last season. The hope, of course, is that the injury is minor, but there's significant concern that it could be serious.

Wilson tossed an interception to Eagles linebacker Kyzir White on his first drive as the Jets quickly fell into a 14-0 hole. The 23-year-old injured his knee on the very next drive.

The Zach Wilson injury is tragic news for the NY Jets

The second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson started 13 games as a rookie, throwing nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Wilson encountered his fair share of rookie struggles, but he finished the season strong and played some of his best football down the stretch.

The hope was that Wilson would be able to take that next step in his sophomore NFL season. The Jets did their part this offseason, bringing in a number of talented players to improve their QB's supporting cast.

Any long-term injury to Wilson would be devastating to a franchise that finally appeared to be turning the corner. Joe Flacco would be next in line to start if Wilson were forced to miss time with Mike White likely serving as his backup.

The Jets will likely provide an update on Wilson after the game. Until then, all we can do is speculate and wait.