FLORHAM PARK, NJ — In a final twist to their ever-changing quarterback situation, the New York Jets decided to start Joe Flacco — not Mike White — in their last game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
White was ruled out on Friday after aggravating a previous rib injury on a sack late in the first half in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawksaccording to coach Robert Saleh.
“He’s just in a lot of pain,” Saleh said, adding that the injury “clearly affected his ability to kick the ball” in the second half.
Former holder Zach Wilsoninactive last week, will be the No. 2 quarterback.
Explaining why he chose Flacco over Wilson, Saleh said he wanted the twice benched Wilson to focus on 2023. A messy offensive line situation likely factored into the decision as well. Left tackle Duan Brown (Shoulder), right tackle george fant (knee) and right guard Nate Herbig (calf) — all runners — were ruled out.
“I want to move him into the offseason so we can attack the plan we’ve built,” Saleh said of Wilson. “Putting him out there right now isn’t going to do him any good; it’s not going to do anyone any good. For Zach, it’s all about 23.”
Jets could have three quarterbacks for the game if they raise Chris Streveler of the practice squad, as they have for the past two weeks.
The game has no playoff implications for the Jets (7-9), who were eliminated last week after their fifth straight loss. There is still a certain symmetry. They started the season with Flacco because of an injury, and now they’re going to end it with him for the same reason.
Flacco, 37, hasn’t decided on his future so this could be the last game of his glittering career, which includes a Super Bowl MVP award with the Baltimore Ravens.
New York will end the season with three quarterbacks having started at least four games each – Flacco (four), White (four) and Wilson (nine).
It was the second time in the last four weeks that White was ruled out on a Friday due to his fractured ribs. After being injured in December. 11, he was preparing to start next week but couldn’t get clearance from doctors. He suffered the injury missing two games, as Wilson stepped in after being benched.
Wilson was benched again, as Saleh returned to White in last week’s must-win game against the Seahawks. White threw two interceptions and completed just 23 of 46 passes for 240 yards as he appeared to be affected by the rib injury.
Saleh said he doesn’t question his decision to play the Whites in such an important game.
“He felt really good and he looked really good in the first half and then it got worse,” Saleh said. “You can play the hypothetical: Was it a mistake? He still played good football in the first half. But we knew if it got any worse again it wouldn’t be good – and it is. is further aggravated.”
On Monday, Saleh said White “should be ready to go for Sunday,” but red flags were raised when the Jets canceled White’s regular media availability on Thursday. Later, the injury report said he was downgraded to “limited” in practice. Saleh was unavailable on Thursday.
So the Jets are looking to Flacco, who started the first three games after Wilson underwent preseason knee surgery. He won one of three starts, throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. He played seven snaps in December. 11 loss against Buffalo Ticketslooking rusty and groping on a banded bag.
Overall, Flacco has a QBR of 28.8, which ranks 37th out of 38 passers with a minimum of 150 attempts.
White’s time with the Jets could be over as he will be an unrestricted free agent. He finished the season with a 1-3 record, along with 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, a 59% completion rate, 1,192 yards, and a 37.5 QBR.
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