(Florham Park) Joe Flacco will be the New York Jets starting quarterback on Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins.
Head coach Robert Saleh made the surprise announcement on Wednesday. The team decided to go with the 36-year-old veteran instead of Mike White, who started the last three games replacing injured Zach Wilson.
Wilson, the second overall pick, stretched a ligament in his right knee on Oct. 24 and is not yet fully recovered.
Saleh said the Jets believe Flacco’s experience will give them the best chance of winning against the aggressive defense of the Dolphins. White will be Flacco’s substitute.
White had quite a first game in the NFL, winning over the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He set the NFL mark for most passes completed (37) in a first start.
It was only used a quarterback the following week in Indianapolis, however, due to a pinched nerve in his right hand. He then experienced all kinds of trouble in the 45-17 loss suffered last week against the Buffalo Bills, including being intercepted on four occasions.
Flacco replaced him for the Jets’ final push, completing his three passes for 47 yards and one touchdown, the 225e of her career.
The Jets acquired Flacco from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 25, against a conditional sixth-round pick.