Jets HC Robert Saleh leaves door open for Zach Wilson to be active backup vs. Lions

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has left the door open for quarterback Zach Wilson to be activated from his demotion for this coming Sunday's home game against the 6-7 Detroit Lions. 

"Zach is ready for everything," Saleh told reporters, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "Zach is fine. He has been working hard for the last couple of weeks. He’s in a great mental headspace. He’s ready for whatever we ask out of him." 

Wilson was relegated from starter to scout team duties following his woeful outing against the New England Patriots on Nov. 20 and his subsequent refusal to say he and the offense "let the defense down." 

Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah later made it known that Wilson "gained a lot of respect" from teammates for his "very emotional" apology that came after the 23-year-old was dropped to third on the depth chart, but the signal-caller nevertheless remained inactive over the past three games. 

Mike White has played well in Wilson's place but was knocked out of this past Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills on two occasions and is dealing with an injury to his ribs. Per Dunleavy, Saleh said he and his staff are "preparing as if we have" White to face the Lions. Wilson theoretically could be bumped up to QB2 for that contest, but Saleh indicated such a decision won't be announced before Wednesday at the earliest. 

"I feel good," White said Monday, as shared by Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I don't feel like a hundred bucks because I just played a football game, but I feel good. Picked my kids out of their cribs this morning and played with them a little bit. They tackled me. I feel fine. I feel good."

Veteran Joe Flacco has served as White's backup during Wilson's benching that Saleh previously referred to as "a reset." Flacco completed just one-of-three passes for one yard and also lost a fumble filling in for White against Buffalo, and individuals such as New York radio personality Joe Benigno (h/t WFAN) have blasted the 37-year-old for being "a statue" in the pocket. 

The 7-6 Jets are on the outside looking in as it pertains to the AFC playoff picture but are right in the hunt at the No. 8 spot in the conference standings. The Los Angeles Chargers are also 7-6, but ESPN notes the Chargers have a tiebreaker advantage over Gang Green thanks to winning percentages in conference games.