Jets QB Zach Wilson '100 percent' heading into Steelers game

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed on Wednesday that first-choice quarterback and second-year pro Zach Wilson had been cleared from the knee injury he suffered last month and, thus, will make his 2022 regular-season debut this coming Sunday at the 1-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Wilson addressed media members later in the day and insisted he's fully recovered from his setback. 

"100 percent, I’m ready to go," Wilson said about his physical status, per Alex Smith of SNY. "Of course, the biggest thing is you just haven’t played ball in a little bit. You’ve been trying to replicate it as much as possible, so I’m just going to have fun with this process and getting back in and just giving it my best.

"I’m just psyched to be back on the field and going through the whole process. It’s the happiest I’ve been in a month."

Veteran backup Joe Flacco guided the Jets to an improbable comeback win at the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 18 but largely fell back down to earth in this past Sunday's 27-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals that dropped the Jets to 1-2 on the campaign. Flacco completed 28-of-52 passes for 285 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions in that defeat and had received criticism throughout the month from some due to his lack of mobility and inability to escape pass-rushers. 

"I’m full-go. I’m going to be playing ball how I can," Wilson added Wednesday about using his athleticism and his legs in Pittsburgh. "Somebody comes up, make somebody miss, get out on the edge, extend plays when I need to, hang in the pocket – I plan on being exactly how I should be."