Source: Jets turn back to Flacco; White ruled out
- Longtime Jets beat writer for New York Daily News
- Syracuse University graduate
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In one last twist to their ever-changing quarterback situation, the New York Jets have decided to start Joe Flacco — not Mike White — in their final game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, a source said.
White, who was poised to start for the second straight week after returning from fractured ribs, was ruled out after experiencing discomfort in practice. Zach Wilson, inactive last week, will be the No. 2 quarterback.
The game has no playoff implications for the Jets (7-9), who were eliminated last week after their fifth straight loss. It does have some symmetry, though. They began the season with Flacco because of an injury, and now they will end with Flacco for the same reason.
Flacco hasn’t decided his future, so this could be the final game of his distinguished career, which includes a Super Bowl MVP Award with the Baltimore Ravens.
New York will end the season with three quarterbacks having started at least four games apiece — Flacco (four), White (four) and Wilson (nine).
This marked the second time in the past four weeks that White was ruled out on a Friday due to his ribs. After getting injured Dec. 11, was preparing to start the next week but couldn’t get clearance from doctors. He wound up missing two games, as Wilson stepped in after having been benched.
Wilson got benched again, as Jets coach Robert Saleh turned back to White in last week’s must-win game against the Seattle Seahawks. White threw two interceptions and completed only 23 of 46 passes for 240 yards, as he seemed to be affected by the rib injury.
On Monday, Saleh said White “should be ready to go for Sunday,” but red flags went up when the Jets canceled White’s regular media availability Thursday. Later, the injury report said he was downgraded to “limited” in practice. Saleh wasn’t available Thursday.
So the Jets turn back to Flacco, who started the first three games after Wilson underwent preseason knee surgery. He won one of three starts, throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. He played seven snaps in the Dec. 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, looking rusty and fumbling on a strip sack.
Overall, Flacco has a 28.8 QBR, which ranks 37th out of 38 passers with a minimum of 150 attempts.
White’s time with the Jets could be over, as he will be an unrestricted free agent. He finished the season with a 1-3 record, along with 3 touchdown passes, 4 interceptions, a 59% completion rate, 1,192 yards and a 37.5 QBR.
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