Jets' White Not Cleared for Contact, Zach Wilson Set to Start

Nov 20, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets are set to start Zach Wilson at quarterback this Sunday against the Lions after Mike White was not cleared for contact, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Friday.

Despite confidence that New York Jets quarterback White would be able to play against the Detroit Lions, the Jets' team doctors would not medically clear him for contact, per ESPN. White has practiced all week and was labeled as "day-to-day" on the Jets' injury report. It's unknown if he will miss further games at this time.

White was briefly replaced by Joe Flacco in last week's game, but it will be former second-overall pick Zach Wilson who will start at quarterback for the Jets this week. This will be Wilson's first start in three games after he was benched by the staff following his 77-yard performance against the New England Patriots in Week 11.

"In three hours, Zach Wilson can change the entire trajectory of his career," said former Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum. "We will see how well he used his time on the bench over the last three weeks.

"This is a hugely important game for the Jets, and this turns out to be an incredible opportunity for Zach Wilson as well.”

In their game last week against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets quarterback Mike White suffered rib and torso injuries that required him to go to a local Buffalo hospital before flying back to New Jersey with the team. White had to leave the field twice during their loss to the Bills after taking repeated hits to the midsection.

In his three games since taking over as the starter, White has thrown for 952 yards and three touchdowns, completing 62% of his passes. In his seven games played this year, Wilson passed for 1,279 yards and four touchdowns at a 55.6% completion percentage. White threw for at least 300 yards in two of his three starts; Wilson managed one 300-yard game all season.

The Jets are set to face off against the Lions with both teams in the thick of the playoff hunt.