Trevor Siemian’s second start at quarterback for the Jets will come 1,560 days after his first — and with four other stops in between.
Zach Wilson will not clear the NFL-regulated concussion protocol in time to start Sunday against the Commanders at MetLife Stadium, head coach Robert Saleh said.
So, Siemian, who has a 40.1 quarterback rating and two touchdowns in two games off the bench this season, will make his 31st career start.
Will Wilson be ready in time for a short turnaround to “Thursday Night Football” on Dec. 28 against the Browns?
“It’s still a possibility,” Saleh said. “It does make it challenging that it’s a Thursday game, so he has to clear some hurdles over the weekend. We’ll see.”
Brett Rypien, who the Jets signed off of the Seahawks practice squad on Dec. 5 in conjunction with releasing Tim Boyle, will be the backup.
He played in two games for the Rams earlier this season.
The Jets will not run the risk of designating Aaron Rodgers — who was added to the active roster earlier this week despite still rehabbing his torn Achilles — as a No. 3 quarterback available to play only if the first two are injured and not returning.
In his first tour with the Jets, Siemian started the Week 2 game in 2019 after Sam Darnold was diagnosed with mononucleosis.
He suffered season-ending torn ligaments in his ankle after throwing just six passes, and his subsequent journey took him to the Titans, Saints, Bears and Bengals.
Siemian is the Jets’ fourth different starting quarterback this season and the sixth of the three-year Saleh era.
Saleh threw his support behind defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the NFL nears its annual coaching carousel. Three head coach jobs are open and at least a handful more are expected.
“I would love to see him get one,” Saleh said. “Whether it’s right or wrong, when you hire a staff, it wasn’t necessarily about hiring friends. It was about hiring people you felt can evolve and become head coaches. … Ulbrich was hired with the full thought that he could definitely be a head coach if given the opportunity to run with it — and he’s hit a home run, in my opinion.”
Saleh was the 49ers defensive coordinator before he was hired but handed off play-calling duties to Ulbrich, a former NFL player who was the Falcons defensive coordinator prior to linking up with Saleh.
“Even at the [quality control] level, it wasn’t about hiring computer guys or guys to fill a certain role,” Saleh said. “It was the idea that they can evolve, get better, become position coaches, become coordinators and possibly more.”
OT Duane Brown (back) and DL John Franklin-Myers (hip) did not practice Friday and are listed as questionable. S Jordan Whitehead (knee) and RB Israel Abanikanda (ankle) were limited participants and are listed as questionable.
“JFM usually goes through some stuff like this, but he always finds his way to game day,” Saleh said, “so I’m still very encouraged on him.”
Brown’s injury stems from Thursday’s practice. He only has 10 played offensive snaps in three games since coming off of injured reserve.
FB Nick Bawden, who was released earlier in the week when Rodgers was activated from injured reserve, re-signed to the practice squad. CB Kalon Barnes was released to make room.