Robert Saleh says Zach Wilson’s surgery came at terrible timing despite optimism

On Tuesday, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in Los Angeles to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. After just seven days, a source told ESPN that the surgery was “a success.”

Wilson sustained the injury, and a bone bruise, in Friday night’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

WIlson will take his time to recover

While Wilson’s recovery time is expected to be within two to four weeks, the Jets aren’t putting a timeline on his return.

Coach Robert Saleh said Sunday that the team is " optimistic, but he’s not out of the woods until they get in there and make the decision (on how to handle the meniscus).”

That proves that the Jets are not willing to bring Wilson back until he’s fully ready. Additionally, for the regular-season opener vs. the Baltimore Ravens, New York’s quarterback Joe Flacco is in line to start the game.

Terrible timing for Zach Wilson

While it’s relieving for the Jets to know that Wilson’s injury is not season ending, the timing makes it a big setback for the 23-year-old, who will miss the final two preseason games, as well as joint practices against the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants.

“It’s a setback in that he’s missing an unbelievable opportunity to get the reps in, to play other defenses, especially the Giants, who have such an elaborate pressure-package system,” Saleh said. “He has to get dialed in, just like he did last year when he was hurt.

“The timing of it all is terrible and it sucks,” said Saleh.

Wilson, who was drafted second overall in 2021, knows what it’s like to miss games at crucial moments; he missed four games as a rookie after spraining the PCL in his right knee.

Now, the quarterback has a great “opportunity to grow” from the situation, if he “attacks it mentally,” like Saleh said.