No. 2 will miss at least a pair of games.
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson won't be on the sideline for Thursday night's matchup with the Colts, but it also won't be long until they see him again.
The Jets QB was injured in a Week 7 matchup with the Patriots, leaving the game after a pair of hits by Lawrence Guy and Matthew Judon. While Guy's hit looked more brutal, it was Judon's hit that knocked the No. 2 overall pick out of the game.
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In Wilson's stead, backup quarterback Mike White will get the start, who earned himself a second start after a stunning win over the Bengals in Week 8.
Here's when fans can see the neophyte passer back on the field:
How long is Zach Wilson out?
Wilson's timeline is set at a two-to-four week recovery period. Wilson, missing most of the Week 7 matchup vs. the Patriots and all of the Week 8 game with the Bengals, could make his return as early as Week 10 vs. the Bills.
He has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup vs. the Colts.
The Jets chose not to place Wilson on Injured Reserve, which would have kept him out at minimum three games. Jets brass was reluctant to keep Wilson away from the practice field.
What is Zach Wilson's injury?
Wilson was diagnosed with a sprained PCL, one of the major ligaments in the knee.
The injury occurred on a hit from Patriots defender Matthew Judon during New England's 54-13 drubbing of the Jets in Week 7: Judon hit Wilson from behind, while Wilson's right knee bent and
Here's the play where Zach Wilson got hurt. Here's what he said about the injury postgame. "I think my toe kind of just got stuck in the ground and Judon just kind of fell on it with all of his weight and that kind of twisted it. Felt a pop there..." #Jets pic.twitter.com/SVKN24SpQA
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 24, 2021
Wilson said he felt a "pop" in his knee, but walked off the field under his own power.
On Monday, Oct. 25, head coach Robert Saleh officially labeled Wilson's injury and put a timeline for his return:
Coach Saleh says Zach Wilson will miss 2-4 weeks with a PCL sprain and gives other injury updates. pic.twitter.com/7WmPGeIT6C
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 25, 2021
Thankfully for Wilson and the Jets, the injury isn't severe: Wilson was diagnosed with a low-grade PCL sprain, which doesn't require surgery. Had the injury resulted in something more serious than a sprain, Wilson's season would have more than likely been over.
Zach Wilson injury timeline
Oct. 24: In the second quarter of the Jets-Patriots matchup in New England, Wilson is hit by linebacker Matthew Judon. He lands on his right knee and lays on the turf for several minutes.
Oct. 24: Soon after the game, reports indicate that the Jets believe they've escaped the worst-case scenario with Wilson, and the quarterback confirms as much following the game: It is a PCL injury, and the team will know more on Monday following an MRI.
Oct. 25: An MRI reveals that Wilson has a PCL sprain in his right knee. Head coach Robert Saleh reveals that Wilson will be out two-to-four weeks while recovering from the injury, and will decide whether or not to place him on IR in the coming days.
Oct. 30: The Jets make the decision not to place Wilson on IR, meaning he'll likely only miss the upcoming games vs. Cincinnati and at Indianapolis before making a potential return vs. the Bills.
Nov. 1: Robert Saleh says Wilson is coming along well, and the decision not to place him on IR is that that the team at least wants him on the practice field leading up to the Week 10 game with Buffalo.
Nov. 4: Prior to the Jets' matchup with the Colts on "Thursday Night Football," Wilson is seen throwing pregame with a heavy brace on his leg. He's expected to practice next week.
Zach Wilson is getting some work in with a brace on his knee out in Indy pic.twitter.com/H2jdwM8p5x
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 4, 2021
