4:15pm: Make that five broken ribs for White, who confirmed the total Friday (via NJ.com’s Andy Vasquez). Two-plus months from free agency, White said the injuries are not expected to be an issue for too long into the offseason.
10:24am: The Jets cleared Mike White for a Week 17 start in what became a do-or-die game. White struggled in a one-sided loss to the Seahawks, but his rib trouble became an issue early in that outing.
A hit near the end of the first half in the Jets’ 23-6 loss in Seattle provided a setback for White, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the veteran backup-turned-starter is dealing with four broken ribs (Twitter link). White had attempted to play through this issue this week, but Robert Saleh said an end-of-half blow became a major issue (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, on Twitter) henceforth. Set to close out his age-37 season, Joe Flacco will receive the call against the Dolphins.
White’s injury deteriorated throughout this week, Rapoport adds, nixing plans to start. The popular QB’s season will end early because of the injury that blunted his momentum. The Jets’ Week 17 loss eliminated them from playoff contention, providing little reason for them to trot out their preferred starter again. Barring a new contract, White is ticketed for free agency in March.
The Jets are not deviating from their latest plan to give Zach Wilson a reset. Wilson will again be inactive, with Saleh adding (via Cimini) the team is focusing on Wilson’s development for the 2023 season at this point. The former No. 2 overall pick has been twice removed from his starting role this season. After having been bumped to the backup gig following demotion No. 1, the erratic BYU product was inactive for Week 17. Wilson’s future with the Jets is up in the air, though the team continues to publicly convey long-term support. Wilson is signed through the 2024 season.
White’s clearance for Week 17 injected some hope into the Jets’ building after Wilson’s meltdown against the Jaguars, but the injury he suffered against the Bills weeks ago ended up being too much to overcome. He strung together back-to-back solid performances against the Bears and Vikings, but he will exit his contract year in need of more recovery time.
Flacco, who started over White in place of an injured Wilson during the season’s first three weeks, is also playing on an expiring contract. The Jets will end the season with Flacco and White each having started four games, with Wilson getting the call in the other nine. It can be safely assumed Saleh’s team, which improved significantly on defense this season, will be on the hunt for a veteran starter option this coming offseason.
All of a sudden, that Jets-Dolphins game has some mighty big intrigue along with the playoff implications. Miami has to win or they’re eliminated.
The Jets still have Chris Streveler on the practice squad but he’d have to be signed to the active roster as he’s been elevated twice already.
I think Streveler would be worse than Wilson. He just doesn’t have ill will built up.
Streveler isn’t on the practice squad, he’s with the team. Unless I missed something and he got sent back. He played in the Jacksonville game
Streveler was elevated for the home game vs. New England in Week 8 — he was on the inactive list that day.
Also, the Seattle game was his 3rd promotion (not his 2nd) so he does have to be signed to the active roster if the Jets want to use him in Miami.
Yes, if Mike White is placed on the IR, the Jets could sign Streveler to the main roster.
As a Steeler fan, things keep getting more and more improbably intriguing.
yep. love the news of Flacco and Thompson starting
one could argue Flacco should’ve started all season for them. hopefully he goes out on a win in what could be his final nfl start
I would have started Streveler. We know Flacco is cooked, might as well see what Streveler can do
I really don’t see the appeal in Streveler other than being sick of the other options. He’s like a poor man’s Taysom Hill. He’s got small hands, turned the ball over too much even in the CFL, he certainly doesn’t pass the eye test, and it’s not like he’s so athletic he’s a major dual threat at the NFL level. I’m as tired of watching everyone else the Jets could trot out as anyone, but I don’t see any evidence Streveler wouldn’t be even worse.
What’s to lose? The Jets have no shot at the playoffs even with a win, might as well at least take a look at what he can do, maybe give the guy a shot to catch on with a team next season. Flacco is toast and Zach is inactive, why not?
Based on all evidence, he might not merit a longer look at what he can do. If you know from practice that’s a guy isn’t up to a certain level of competency, there’s no point in playing him just because you’re tired of the known mediocrity (see also: Christian Hackenberg). He’s never played all that well anywhere statistically and he doesn’t look like an NFL QB. I think the Jets have done enough to frustrate their skill position players this season. Might as well end on a high note and try to beat Miami.
Jets fans no longer know what good QB play looks like. it’s OK if they get confused into think a practice squad guy can handle the job. we’ll give them a break.
As a Jets fan I find that sometimes the only hope is that they stop digging at rock bottom. I guess the good news is that’s mostly confined to the QB position, as opposed to most areas of the team.
Earth to Pedro: Zach Wilson is the Jets’ QB2 behind Flacco this week.
It says in the article that he’s inactive
Should’ve started Streveler. Then you could have started 4 different QBs this year.
Steeler nation rooting for elite Joe
I had two broken ribs after a car accident once… I can’t EVEN imagine attempting to play football through that injury!!!
Right? That’s one of the ones that amazes me most, and we see so many QBs do it. Seems extra crazy to play through broken ribs when you play a position where giant men are coming to get you almost every play, and one of the main places they’re *supposed* to hit you is right in the ribs.
If Joe Flacco with adequate pass protections, started all season the Jets would be in the playoffs. Can’t beat his experience and game knowledge. I guess Saleh will have to wait until next year to see the Bills again. Hope Jets win at Miami and Steelers make playoffs.Tomlin has his team playing better than any other team fighting for 7th seed.
Whether they make the playoffs or not, the Steelers have shown progress. They’ve come together and given fans a great deal to look forward to next season. Draft some linemen on both sides of the ball, an inside linebacker and DB, and scrape up a good punter somewhere, and they’re all set
NFL is invalidating the first 15 games and turning 2023 season/playoffs into a fraudulent pile to appease TV. Women’s roller derby without a slanted track is more valid.
Diane Severson and Skinny Minnie Miller should be in the Roller Derby HOF (assuming there is one).
All the best to Joe as he winds down a fairly long and decent career. Seems like yesterday when he broke onto the scene with Bal.
Joe Flacco has been a total washed up bum for years. He isn’t good enough to be the backup on most NFL teams. Jets have a lot of talent..but without a decent QB, it doesn’t matter.
Hey cincy sapper 2- Flacco has a rocket for an arm and with the injury situation at QB for the Ravens, I would take him in a NY minute. Jackson out and Snoop nursing a throwing shoulder issue. 3rd string rookie against Bengals doesn’t look promising. Maybe Jets release him after Sunday and Ravens can bring Joe home.