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NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday that quarterback Zach Wilson has been cleared to make his season-debut after missing the season’s first three games. The second-year quarterback will start Sunday’s road game against the Steelers as long as all goes well for Wilson during this week’s practices. Pending confirmation from Wilson’s Los Angeles-based doctor, Saleh was optimistic about Wilson, saying he will “absolutely” start, adding: “He’s very comfortable. He’s in a great mental state. Everyone is comfortable with where he’s at physically.”
Wilson tore his meniscus and suffered a bone bruise during New York’s first preseason game against the Eagles. On Aug. 16, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. While initially the team said Wilson had a two- to four-week recovery, the Jets announced four days before the start of the season that Wilson would return Week 4 at the earliest.
The Jets are off to a 1-2 start with 15-year veteran Joe Flacco filling in for Wilson. Sunday’s game would mark Flacco’s 22nd start against the Steelers if Wilson cannot return. Flacco went 10-11 against Pittsburgh during his 11-year run as Baltimore’s starting quarterback, while Wilson has yet to face the Steelers.
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