Rookie QB Wilson sits out final preseason game

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Robert Saleh was leaning toward playing Zach Wilson in the Jets’ preseason finale, but the coach decided to give the rookie quarterback and several other starters the night off.

Saleh said it had nothing to do with the lightning and rainstorm that wreaked havoc on the area.

The turf inside MetLife Stadium was under water and there were pockets of the field that was bubbling up almost to the size of a pitcher’s mound during the storm. The start of the game between the Jets and Eagles was delayed nearly 30 minutes.

But Saleh said “we already decided” to sit Wilson because the offensive line was compromised with left tackle Mekhi Becton in concussion protocol and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker also unable to play.

“When you look at all the different things that were happening on the offensive line with Mekhi being out, shuffling people around, it just wasn’t worth it to bring him out,” Saleh said. “We felt like we had a productive training camp with regards to what we’ve seen in games. We felt we had a lot accomplished.”

The preseason ended in dramatic and thrilling fashion for the Jets as they tied the Eagles, 31-31. There is no overtime in the preseason.

With the Jets down 31-23 in the waning seconds, James Morgan launched a Hail Mary and tight end Kenny Yeboah came down with it in traffic for a 49-yard touchdown with no time left on the clock.

The Jets, who missed an earlier two-point conversion, converted the two-point try this time. Running back Josh Adams stretched the ball over the goal line and the Jets ran on the field and celebrated as if they had won a big game.

“It was crazy,” said running back Ty Johnson, who scored a rushing touchdown with no time remaining in the third quarter. “It was just crazy.”

Josh Johnson started at quarterback and was 7-for-8 passing for 73 yards and a touchdown. Morgan, a fourth-round pick last year, was 13-for-23 for 158 yards with two touchdown passes.

The two are competing for the third quarterback spot behind Wilson and No. 2 Mike White. Rosters have to be trimmed to 53 by Tuesday afternoon.

Wilson stood on the sideline in shorts and a white shirt, wearing a headset and holding a football. The next time he will play in a competitive game is when he makes his NFL debut at Carolina on Sept. 12 in Week 1. But he had an impressive showing in two preseason games.

His final stats: 15-for-20 passing for 191 yards, two TDs, no interceptions and a quarterback rating of 137.7. He led the team on four scoring drives in six series. There’s certainly a reason for optimism for the Jets and their long-suffering fan base.