Jets HC Robert Saleh has 'all the faith in the world' in Joe Flacco if Zach Wilson is out

It was learned over the weekend that New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson would require arthroscopic surgery to address the bone bruise and meniscus tear that he suffered in this past Friday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilson went down with a non-contact knee injury initially feared to be season-threatening. 

Before Wilson's injury, Jets head coach Robert Saleh generated buzz when he told reporters that he believed veteran backup and Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player Joe Flacco is "a starting quarterback in this league." Saleh may find out if that's true if Wilson isn't cleared to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 on Sept. 11, and the coach assured everyone he'd be just fine with having Flacco temporarily atop his depth chart. 

"Joe's a pro. He's been there, he's done that. He's been a Super Bowl MVP, a world champion. He's gotten the big contracts. He checks about all the boxes you can check," Saleh said of Flacco, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "I think he's going to be fine, especially for the remainder of the preseason. We'll see everything else with Zach's knee, but we have all the faith in the world in Joe."

The Jets re-signed Flacco in March after he completed 64.3% of his passes for 338 yards with three touchdowns for Gang Green in limited play last season. As things stand today, Flacco is on track to take the field next month against the team that served as his NFL home for his first 11 pro seasons. 

"I've been in a bunch of games where guys have played their past teams. Usually, the emotions are definitely crazy. Guys try to act like they're so cool during the week," Flacco remarked. "I've probably thought about it a tiny bit. It's so far away. Who knows what's going to happen?"

The Jets next host the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium for a "Monday Night Football" showdown on Aug. 22.