Jets playoff hopes end after Zach Wilson suffers concussion in blowout loss vs. Dolphins

May 26, 2024

Shortly after the Miami Dolphins walloped the New York Jets 30-0 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention after wins by the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.

New York — which last made the playoffs in 2010 — has gone 13 straight seasons without making the postseason, marking the longest active drought across the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, according to ESPN.

Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was ruled out in the blowout loss with a concussion, the team announced. His injury marked the latest development in a season of Jets quarterback woes.

With the loss, the Jets dropped to 5-9 in the AFC East, while the Dolphins improved to 10-4 and remain atop the division.

When asked after the game whether the Jets’ performance was embarrassing, coach Robert Saleh responded, “Yeah.”

“You put together the best plan possible,” Saleh said. “Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s not.”

After Wilson exited late in the second quarter, Trevor Siemian took over under center with Miami leading 24-0, but he wasn’t able to spark much in the second half either. Siemian finished 14-of-26 passing for 110 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wilson was 4-of-11 passing for 26 yards and no touchdowns before exiting. New York allowed five sacks in the first half (six total).

“They out-schemed us, out-efforted us,” New York wide receiver Allen Lazard said. “They played a better football game than we did today.”

Jets star quarterback Aaron Rodgers — who’s been out almost the entire season after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 — may be medically cleared next week to return to playing in games, according to multiple reports. New York hosts the Washington Commanders on Christmas Eve, which could be Rodgers’ targeted return.

Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion, must be taken off the injured reserve list by Wednesday to play against Washington.

GO DEEPER

Jets get embarrassed again, and Robert Saleh's team future grows more tenuous

What happened to Wilson?

It’s unclear which play Wilson was injured on. He exited just before the half and was later seen heading to the X-ray room at Hard Rock Stadium near the end of the game.

Zach Wilson heading to the X-Ray room. #Jets pic.twitter.com/Z4wr5H262b

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 17, 2023

The Jets previously told ESPN that Wilson’s issue was not being called a concussion and said the quarterback was not in concussion protocol. The team originally described Wilson’s issue as a head injury but later provided an update.

The CBS broadcast reported earlier that Wilson left to get hydrated.

A miserable loss for New York

In the fourth quarter, CBS cameras caught wide receiver Garrett Wilson showing his frustration after another failed offense drive. It’s hard to blame him — this was one of the more embarrassing Jets losses in recent memory, a game that was never close. It started with a Wilson fumble on the first drive and never got better.

The Jets offensive line was in shambles, the defense had its worst game of the season and the team feels on the verge of falling apart — which doesn’t reflect kindly on coach Robert Saleh. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets staff writer

Garrett Wilson told he wasn’t targeted until the third quarter: “I’m aware.”

“It seems like we’re being unintentional and that’s my mindset. It’s simple. That doesn’t have to be the case. It was. I have to figure out how I can get involved in the first quarter.” #Jets

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 17, 2023

Required reading

(Photo: Rich Storry / Getty Images)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57lGprbWhka3xzfJFsZmpqX2aEcLbErapmspGYtW7DyKWqqKZdmsWqwIydpqWomJ67tHs%3D