USATSI
Jets sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson left New York’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a knee injury. With more than four minutes to play in the first quarter, Wilson snapped a first and ten off the New York 40-yard line and scrambled to the right. As he flipped up, Wilson tried to make a cut towards midcourt to get rid of a would-be tackler and went down awkwardly.
First, he was helped by a teammate and he had a noticeable limp. Wilson was then formally sent to the locker room for further investigation and the Jets decided him questionable to return with knee injury. Wilson did not return to the game, and afterward, Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that Wilson would undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Given that this is just a show, it wouldn’t be surprising for the team to let him rest for the rest of the game even if he’s healthy enough to go. That injury is a cause for concern, however, as it doesn’t appear Wilson was touched when he took to the field. And every time there’s a non-contact injury, the team should hold their breath.
Before the injury, Wilson wasn’t off to a great start. On the Jets’ opening drive of the night, he threw a poor interception on a pass intended for Corey Davis by Eagles linebacker Kyzir White. Wilson completed three of his five passes for 23 yards and those picks before going down.
The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is entering his second season after a bumpy rookie season. In 13 games, he completed just 55.6% of his passes for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.