JETS QB WILSON STILL OUT; SIEMIAN IS LIKELY STARTER
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson remained in the concussion protocol Thursday and hasn’t participated in practice this week, making it more likely Trevor Siemian will start Sunday against the Commanders.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett certainly sounded as though he was preparing to have Siemian under center.
“We have to look at all the different things Trevor’s comfortable with that we can get going this week,” Hackett said.
Wilson was injured in the first half of the Jets’ 30-0 loss at Miami last Sunday before Siemian replaced him. Wilson, who was sacked four times, was briefly checked in the medical tent early in the game and continued to play until leaving before halftime.
The third-year quarterback’s head appeared to hit the ground on one sack, although it wasn’t clear if that was the blow that caused the injury.
Wilson’s mother Lisa posted on her Instagram story Monday night that her son “took some really, really big hits and he fought through it and really tried to just stay out on the field.” She added that he ”really started having problems with blurred vision and his depth perception” before leaving the game when NFL concussion spotters saw he was displaying symptoms.
Coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday that Wilson appeared to be improving and he wasn’t closing the door on him being able to play. The Jets held walkthroughs on Wednesday and Thursday, so the practice participation for players is just an estimate. But typically, players who aren’t cleared from the concussion protocol by Thursday don’t play on Sunday.
If Wilson can’t go, Siemian will become the fourth QB to start a game for the Jets this season.
Bills update
The Bills placed DT Jordan Phillips on injured reserve after the backup had surgery for a wrist injury last weekend. Phillips will now be required to miss four games. He won’t be available to play unless Buffalo reaches the divisional round of the playoffs. Safety Micah Hyde (neck) has been ruled out and will miss his second straight game.
Deflategate II?
The special teams footballs used in Sunday’s game between Kansas City and New England were reportedly underinflated — not by the Patriots, this time — an ironic throwback to the Deflategate scandal that captivated the football world for parts of three seasons and led to penalties against the team and Tom Brady. MassLive.com reported that the Patriots complained to the officials during the first half of the Chiefs’ 27-17 victory that the balls used by the punters and kickers — which are specially marked, — were too soft. They were tested at halftime and found to be inflated to 11 psi, the website reported, instead of the leaguemandated 13.5 minimum.
Notable
The NFL is adding tugof-war to its Pro Bowl skills competitions in February. The league announced what those selected for the Pro Bowl will compete in, including dodgeball, precision passing, a closest-to-the-pin golf challenge and a Madden gaming event.