Jets’ Zach Wilson to start vs. Texans; Joe Flacco, Mike White out due to COVID contact, report says

New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) pulls off his helmet after he was shaken up during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Miami Dolphins free safety Nik Needham (40) tackles New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) from behind during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (88), a New Jersey native, makes a catch during the second quarter against the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. Gesicki is a 2014 graduate of Southern Regional High School in Ocean County.

The New York Jets were disappointed Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) was not flagged for pass interference on this incomplete pass intended for wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (82) reacts after he caught a pass for a 2-yard touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

The body language of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh during the first half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New Jersey State Police troopers line up for the national anthem before the opening kickoff between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (82) catches a pass for a 2-yard touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) points to the crowd as he scores a first half touchdown against the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New Jersey State Police troopers and Newark Police motorcycle officers drive out onto the field before the opening kickoff between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. First responders were honored by the Jets today at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins defense during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) throws a pass to wide receiver Jamison Crowder for a 2-yard touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacts after cornerback Jason Pinnock (41, left) was called for a defensive holding penalty that extended a Miami Dolphins drive during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

The New York Jets were disappointed Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) was not flagged for pass interference on this incomplete pass intended for wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) gets a block from wide receiver Corey Davis (84) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

The New York Jets bench during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) throws under pressure from the Miami Dolphins defense during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets kicker Matt Ammendola (6) kicks an extra point during the first half against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacts during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and other staffers watch during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New Jersey State Police troopers line up for the national anthem before the opening kickoff between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

New York Jets offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) is helped off the field after being injured early against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. He would return to the game later in the first half.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (left) and Mike White (5) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) sacks New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Miami Dolphins free safety Nik Needham (40) tackles New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) from behind during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) makes a catch as Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) defends for a 62-yard touchdown on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) walks off the field with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich after Mosley was shaken up during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Miami Dolphins free safety Nik Needham (40) tackles New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) from behind during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (left) and Mike White (5) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (left) and Mike White (5) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins won, 24-17.

Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will start behind center for the Jets against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, according to a report from The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.

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Wilson has been fully cleared and will be a full participant in practice this week beginning on Wednesday, according to Hughes.

While the Jets get Wilson back, they’ll be without backups Joe Flacco and Mike White, who are both out for Sunday’s game in Houston after being put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list due to close contacts, per Hughes. Josh Johnson will be called up from the practice squad to back up Wilson.

The second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft missed the Jets’ last four games with a PCL sprain he suffered in Foxborough against the New England Patriots on October 24. The Jets went 1-3 in that stretch, with a tremendous win over the Cincinnati Bengals and disastrous losses to the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.

Head coach Robert Saleh said on Sunday following the Jets’ 24-17 loss to the Dolphins that the Jets would would take Monday and Tuesday to evaluate “where he’s at mentally and physically,” and it appears he is ready to return to the field. Wilson was a limited participant in practice last week, and for the second consecutive Sunday, he went through a “pretty good” workout in the morning at MetLife Stadium prior to the Jets facing the Dolphins.

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco put together a nice effort in his first start in a year, throwing for 291 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-39 passing, but it didn’t come close to being enough for him to snag the starting position from Wilson. And backup Mike White had his two weeks in the spotlight, but a horrendous performance against the Bills sealed his fate behind Wilson.

In his time off the field, Wilson picked his veteran teammate’s brain.

“As soon as me and (Wilson) get together, he’s like a million questions,” Flacco said on Sunday. “It’s all good, it’s a lot of fun to see somebody that is just coming into the league (be so eager). Being able to talk to him is a lot of fun. I don’t have all the answers, it’s football at the end of the day and he is a little different than I am, but it’s been cool to be around that room. It’s always great to be around as many players as you can and help in any way possible. We all love this game. You can tell that he loves it. When you get him one-on-one, you can really see it.”

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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.

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