JETS’ WILSON SET TO RETURN
Zach Wilson is back — and just in time for the New York Jets.
The No. 2 overall pick will return as the starting quarterback Sunday against the Texans in Houston, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. Wilson missed the past four games with a sprained posterior collateral ligament in his right knee.
Wilson returning to action comes just as backup quarterbacks Mike White and Joe Flacco were both placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. That leaves just Wilson and Josh Johnson, who’s on the practice squad, at the quarterback position.
Johnson will likely be promoted to the active roster to serve as Wilson’s backup against the Texans.
Coach Robert Saleh said Monday the Jets would evaluate Wilson’s knee before making a decision by Wednesday morning on whether the rookie quarterback would be able to play. The knee checked out and Wilson will be back, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the decision.
The Athletic first reported Wilson will start for the first time since being injured on Oct. 24. The Athletic also reported the Jets’ decision to start Wilson came before the situation with White and Flacco came to light.
Flacco said last week he is not vaccinated. White’s vaccination status was not immediately known.
Wilson recently said sitting out and watching his teammates run the offense efficiently will help him.
“I would say it’s almost just as beneficial as playing,” Wilson said. “Maybe you don’t feel it as much as far as just actually going through it, but we all think and see the same things. I understand why Mike made a certain decision on something
that he did in a game or didn’t.”
With seven games remaining for the 2-8 Jets, Wilson’s development and progress will be the primary focus.
Giants fire Garrett
In an effort to spark an anemic offense with the season teetering on the brink of fiasco, the Giants fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett after a dreadful performance in a nationally televised game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coach Joe Judge confirmed the dismissal of Garrett, noting the offense was not scoring enough points.
“This is not a blame game,” Judge said. “That’s not what this is at all. I am not looking for a head to roll or worried about external opinions or perceptions. This is not a blame game. I am very appreciative of Jason for a lot of things he has done for us.”
Judge said the coaching staff would combine to make
an offensive game plan for the contest against the Eagles (5-6) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. He refused to say who would call the plays, noting every member of the staff is an option, including himself.
Titans waive Peterson in flurry
Tennessee has waived 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson after three games in a flurry of roster moves.
The Titans signed running back Dontrell Hilliard from the practice squad to replace Peterson. They also signed defensive back Buster Skrine
and brought back outside linebacker John Simon.
They also placed defensive back Chris Jackson (foot) and wide receiver Marcus Johnson
on injured reserve. Johnson hurt his right hamstring in the first quarter in last week’s loss to the Texans, a week after he caught five passes for a season-high 100 yards receiving. That’s why the Titans signed
receivers Golden Tate and Austin Mack to the practice squad along with defensive lineman Kevin Strong and running back Rodney Smith.
Notable
The Steelers are hoping injured defensive stars T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden will be back when they travel to Cincinnati on Sunday.
The Vikings placed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson on the COVID-19 reserve list, further testing their depth on the defensive line.
The Saints have placed tight end Adam Trautman and rookie offensive lineman
Landon Young on injured reserve.
The Falcons signed former longtime New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead to their active roster. The move came after Atlanta placed punter
Colquitt on the COVID-19 list.