Fortune smiles on the Detroit Lions with Jets starting Zach Wilson

The Detroit Lions got some good fortune on Friday, as the New York Jets will be turning to Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback.

Long thought of as a cursed franchise, with some signs they are, the Detroit Lions are in line for some good fortune. New York Jets quarterback Mike White has been dealing with a rib issue all week. On Friday morning the news came he has not been cleared for contact, and Zach Wilson will start against the Lions on Sunday.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported White visited 10 doctors seeking clearance for his fractured ribs. White also admitted it was wishful thinking when he said there was “no doubt” he would play against the Lions.

Wilson, who is on the fast track to being declared a draft bust, was demoted all the way to third string a few weeks ago. He was bumped up to No. 2 on the depth chart this week, and now he’ll start on Sunday.

In seven games this season, Wilson has completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,279 yards with four touchdowns, five interceptions and a 72.6 passer rating. The Jets went 5-2 in those games, but it was not because Wilson played well.

Lions get lucky break with Jets turning to Zach Wilson

The Jets went 1-2 in the last three games with White starting under center, but their offense was a little better and in particular wide receiver Garrett Wilson produced better numbers among Jets’ skill players. Wide receiver Elijah Moore also lamented not getting the ball when Wilson was under center earlier this season.

White’s presence had an intangible impact, after Wilson garnered headlines for not taking accountabilty for an awful performance when he last played.

Wilson is in dismal numerical territory all the way around through 20 career starts. Joe Flacco is also on the depth chart for the Jets, but head coach Robert Saleh had his justification for going with Wilson. As flimsy as some of it is.

Wilson is getting a chance to shift the narrative around him on Sunday, against a Lions’ defense that has been bad against the pass. But if an opposing team could pick which of White, Flacco or Wilson would start under center for the Jets, they’d pick Wilson every time. And the Lions are going to get him on Sunday.