Zach Wilson’s second season in the NFL got off to a rough start Friday after the New York Jets quarterback exited his team’s first preseason game with a right knee injury.
No information is yet available on the severity of the problem, but the Jets tweeted that Wilson is questionable to return.
The injury happened as Wilson was scrambling. A video of the play shows the former BYU quarterback limping after making a cut during his run.
“Zach Wilson’s injury was non-contact. (He) was shaking a defender on a scramble,” tweeted Gregg Rosenthal, co-host of the “Around the NFL” podcast.
When Wilson left the game, he had completed three of five passes for 23 yards and one interception. His QB rating was just 31.7.
“Not the opening series Zach Wilson would like. Wilson stared that receiver down. You do that and you get picked. He got picked,” NFL Network reporter Mike Giardi tweeted early in the game.
Wilson was able to walk off the field on his own after the injury, according to The New York Post.
During his press conference after the game, Jets coach Robert Saleh declined to give a status update on Wilson’s knee beyond saying that an MRI would be taken Saturday.
“We’re going to wait on the MRI and give more details tomorrow,” he said.
Saleh added that Wilson is “in good spirits.”
“He’s fine. A little frustrated obviously ... but he’s as good as you could be in these situations,” he said.
Injuries are never easy to deal with, but they’re part of the game, Saleh said.
“When these players step on the field ... their careers are on the line, their seasons are on the line with every snap. I think players get that,” he said.
Wilson said something similar while speaking to reporters earlier this week.
“We signed up to play football, and this is kind of part of it,” he said about Jets right tackle Mekhi Becton’s recent injury.
Saleh said Friday that he will stay optimistic as the team figures out what comes next.
“I kind of try to ... let it all play out. I keep saying my nightly prayers and see what happens,” he said.