Trevor Siemian will start for Jets vs. Commanders after Zach Wilson doesn’t clear concussion protocol
NEW YORK — The Jets will start their fourth different quarterback on Sunday.
Zach Wilson did not pass concussion protocol and will not play against the Commanders, Jets coach Robert Saleh announced on Friday. Trevor Siemian — who signed with the Jets in early September — will get his first start of the season.
Saleh also said the Jets playing next week against the Browns on Thursday night football makes Wilson’s availability for the game “challenging,” but it is still a “possibility.” After suffering a concussion, Wilson must pass all five steps of the protocol before he is cleared to participate in a game.
Brett Rypien, who was signed off the Seahawks practice squad on Dec. 5, will back up Siemian. Aaron Rodgers, who was activated on Wednesday, will not be the emergency quarterback and will not play again this season.
The last time the Jets started four quarterbacks in the same season was 1989 when Ken O’Brien, Pat Ryan, Kyle Mackey and Tony Eason all were under center during a 4-12 season.
Wilson suffered a head injury during last weekend’s 30-0 loss to the Dolphins. He left the game with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter and CBS initially reported Wilson exited the game due to dehydration. But the Jets ruled out the third-year quarterback in the third quarter because of a head injury.
Wilson finished 4 of 11 for 26 yards and lost a fumble against the Dolphins. The day after the game against Miami, Wilson’s mom, Lisa, said on her Instagram story that the former No. 2 overall pick didn’t tell the coaching staff or the Jets medical team how badly he was injured until he began suffering blurred vision and issues with his depth perception.
Siemian relieved Wilson against Miami, but he also struggled. He completed 14 of 26 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions. Siemian also was sacked twice.
During his seven-year career, Siemian has passed for 7,203 yards, 42 touchdowns and 30 interceptions with the Broncos, Bears and Saints, and two stints with the Jets. He is 13-17 as a starter and hasn’t won a game he has started since 2017.
This season has been a revolving door at quarterback for the Jets (5-9) after Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear four offensive plays into the season opener against the Bills on Sept. 11. Wilson replaced Rodgers and he started the next nine games until he was benched for Tim Boyle ahead of the Jets game against the Dolphins on Nov. 24. But after Boyle’s inept play, the Jets released him and made Wilson the starter once again.
Left tackle Duane Brown has a back injury and will be questionable to play against Washington. Brown hasn’t started since suffering a hip injury in Week 2. After being activated from injured reserve on Nov. 23, the Jets have used Brown as an extra blocker on situational downs.
Defensive end John Franklin-Myers (hip) has not practiced all week, but Saleh says he still “feels good” about his availability against the Commanders.
