By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com and Associated Press
13:05 19 Dec 2023, updated 13:25 19 Dec 2023
The mother of New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson claims her son tried to stay in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins before entering the concussion protocol, saying he didn’t initially tell coaches he was experiencing vision problems during his dreadful four-sack day in Miami.
‘Yesterday was a little bit rough, Zach took some really, really big hits and he fought through it and really tried to just stay out on the field,’ Lisa Wilson, a 50-year-old Instagram influencer, said in a video posted on the social network. ‘He didn’t want to go out, he didn’t want to stop playing — so he didn’t tell the sideline, the coaches, the trainers how he was really feeling and tried to just fight through it and be out there for his guys.’
Lisa’s depiction of her son as a tough player fighting to remain on the field for his teammates comes in contrast to one recent report about Zach, who allegedly was reluctant to resume starting duties for the Jets earlier this month, according to The Athletic. The team, Wilson, and injured Jets starter Aaron Rodgers have publicly rejected that claim, and the third-year quarterback did return to the field on December 10 to throw for 301 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Houston Texans.
But any momentum Wilson appeared to have after that victory evaporated on Sunday, when he was 4 of 11 for 26 yards before going into the concussion protocol.
‘Finally, after one more blow to the head, he really started having problems with blurred vision and his depth perception,’ Lisa Wilson said. ‘He really started worrying that he was actually going to hurt his team if he stayed out there because his vision was not right and how you can’t play like that.’
Wilson’s status for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders remains clouded. He could be replaced by Trevor Siemian or even Rodgers, although that looks less likely now that the Jets are out of playoff contention.
Rodgers had been publicly musing about possibly returning from his ruptured Achilles later this month.
Wilson’s mother Lisa has been in the news frequently during his three years in northern New Jersey, including a 2022 report, when Zach was accused of having an affair with an unidentified friend of hers.
Details around the allegations remain hazy.
The rumors began after Wilson’s ex, Abbey Gile, reportedly began dating Wilson’s former college teammate and roommate, Washington Commanders receiver Dax Milne.
Accused of being a ‘homie hopper’ on social media, Gile instead pointed the finger at Wilson: ‘He was sleeping with his mom’s best friend… that’s the real homie hopper.’
Wilson has since sidestepped questions about the alleged affair, and the mother’s friend has never been identified, publicly.
The Jets (5-9) will miss the postseason for the 13th straight season, the longest drought among the four major North America professional sports leagues. They also have eight consecutive losing seasons.
Head coach Robert Saleh is 16-32 as the team’s coach since being hired in 2021. GM Joe Douglas, meanwhile, is 25-55 since taking over for the fired Mike Maccagnan in 2019.
The latest loss, a 30-0 drubbing at Miami on Sunday, stoked the flames even more — with some wondering if Saleh is in danger of losing the locker room.
‘I think this team is still bought in,’ the coach insisted. ‘I think this team still plays for one another. I think this team still loves one another. And I’ll speak for everyone in that we are frustrated that we haven’t been able to string together some wins. But I do appreciate the way we go out and fight. We’ve just got to find a way to be successful.’
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas said Saleh has the players’ support. But he agreed the players are frustrated, especially given the expectations the team had just a few months ago.
‘It obviously hurts,’ Thomas said. ‘That’s your goal and dream every season and the fact that you can’t make that happen, you’re never to be satisfied with that. You’re never going to be OK with that. And if that does not bother you, then you shouldn’t be in the building.’
Oh, and as for Rodgers, he’s still rehabilitating from the torn left Achilles tendon that sent the Jets season spiraling just four snaps into his debut with the team. He’s getting closer to returning and there was a lot of buzz it could even happen Sunday against Washington — as long as New York remained in the playoff hunt.
The loss to Miami eliminated that contention, likely also putting an end to the speculation as to whether Rodgers will play during the last three games. The Jets have until Wednesday to activate him from injured reserve, but that’s hardly a given.
‘I don’t have anything for you guys on that one right now,’ Saleh said. ‘As far as I’m concerned, he’s still in rehab.’
And once again, the Jets are playing out the string.
Three more games to try to provide some optimism heading into the offseason. And perhaps the jobs of Saleh and Douglas hanging in the balance.
‘Just coaching to try to beat Washington,’ Saleh said.
