Early fear is that NY Jets QB Zach Wilson tore his ACL

NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson exited Friday's preseason game early with a non-contact knee injury. The Jets quickly declared that Wilson was questionable to return, but it's all but confirmed that his day is done.

While the exact severity of the injury is still unclear, the early fear that Wilson suffered a significant knee injury that could keep him sidelined for the entire 2022 season.

Renowned football doctor David J. Chao quickly shared that he believes that Wilson tore his ACL given what he saw on the play. It should be noted, that Chao, who shares speculations on player injuries frequently, is rarely (if ever) wrong with his diagnoses.

If true, Wilson would be forced to miss the upcoming 2022 season, a devastating blow to a Jets franchise that appeared to be turning the corner after a very promising offseason.

NY Jets fans await a Zach Wilson injury update

It should be noted that this is the same knee (right) that Wilson injured late last season. That injury was just a sprained PCL, but Chao insists that this injury is likely much, much more serious.

The Jets drafted Wilson with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft with the hope that he could become the franchise QB they'd been searching decades for.

His rookie season was a mixed bag and it's safe to say that Wilson certainly encountered his fair share of growing pains, but the 23-year-old did play some of his best football down the stretch.

There was genuine optimism that Wilson could carry over that momentum into the start of 2022 and show signs of the player the Jets drafted second overall.

Now, it appears as though he may not even get that opportunity.

Of course, this remains speculation for the time being. The Jets have not confirmed the severity of Wilson's injury and they likely won't know for sure until the MRI results come back.

But again, Chao's track record speaks for itself. He's almost never wrong.

The Jets will continue to cross their fingers, but a hush silence has fallen across the streets of Florham Park. Our thoughts are with Zach Wilson and his loved ones.