Jets' Zach Wilson will only return when he's '100 percent healthy'

It was learned on Tuesday that New York Jets second-year quarterback Zach Wilson had undergone successful surgery to address the bone bruise and torn meniscus in his right knee he suffered during last Friday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

There was, however, also some conflicting information released at that time. Initial reports suggested Wilson would be sidelined for roughly two to four weeks, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that the 23-year-old had "an outside shot to play in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens" on Sept. 11. Meanwhile, ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Wilson wouldn't return to the field "until he's fully ready" and that the Jets had backup Joe Flacco "in line to start" the Week 1 matchup against Baltimore. 

Jets head coach Robert Saleh seemed to confirm Cimini's claim on Thursday. 

"Zach flew back last night. He's here today," Saleh explained during Thursday's media session, per Randy Lange of the Jets' website. "He's already walking, he's in really good spirits. And he's chomping at the bit to get to rehab."

Unsurprisingly, Saleh wasn't ready to name a QB1 for Week 1 when asked.

"It's really going to be dictated by how he feels, and when he's ready to go," Saleh said about Wilson. "We're going to make sure we do right by him in terms of making sure he's 100 percent healthy. Whenever that is, that's when he'll hit the field."

Those comments didn't end the questions about Wilson's status. 

"If Zach is ready to go, he's going to be the Week 1 starter," Saleh added. "If not, then Joe will. We're going to take it by how Zach looks, how he moves, how he feels, and what the doctors tell us."

Flacco spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Ravens and helped them win Super Bowl XLVII. He was named Most Valuable Player for that game and last played for Baltimore during the 2018 season.