It has been nearly a year since Joe Flacco dressed for an NFL game, but he will be in uniform Thursday night.
Flacco is expected to be Sam Darnold’s backup, according to a source, after watching the team’s first three games. The veteran quarterback has been recovering from neck surgery in April and was not cleared until last week. Mike White had been Darnold’s backup.
“The toughest part of it is really just feeling pretty good but not being able to go out there and play, not being able to go out there and practice,” Flacco said this week. “The offseason was one thing, but once we got back here for training camp and everybody is doing their thing and throwing footballs and throwing individual routes and running seven-on-seven, running team drills, that’s when it started to become tough because I couldn’t take part in that. When you’re so close to the action, but not able to really do it, it can be frustrating.”
Flacco’s return comes against the team he played for last season, the Broncos. Flacco spent just one season in Denver. He went 171-for-262 for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games. Flacco’s season ended in late October when he injured his neck. The Broncos released him in the offseason.
The Jets signed Flacco to a one-year deal to back up Darnold, knowing he would miss the first few games as he recovered from surgery. Flacco said he has been impressed with Darnold despite his recent struggles.
“He’s really talented. He really is,” Flacco said. “He can make all the throws. He’s got good feet, a good head on his shoulders. It’s just about going out there and doing it consistently and playing together as a football team.”
OT George Fant and CB Quincy Wilson have both been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play Thursday night after missing Sunday’s game against the Colts. WR Breshad Perriman (ankle) was ruled out. S Ashtyn Davis (groin) and LB Jordan Willis (ankle) are doubtful to play. OT Mekhi Becton (shoulder), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring), DL John Franklin-Myers (knee), WR Chris Hogan (ribs/knee) and LB Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) are all listed as questionable, but are expected to play.