Jets Place Joe Flacco, Mike White on Reserve/COVID-19 List

While rookie Zach Wilson is reportedly ready to return from his knee injury, named this week's starter for the Jets, the rest of New York's quarterback room took a hit on Tuesday.
Both veteran Joe Flacco and backup Mike White have been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per ESPN's Field Yates. Both quarterbacks will be out on Sunday in Houston.
Flacco, who revealed last week that he is unvaccinated, landed on the COVID list after close contact, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
With White and Flacco sidelined this week, that gives journeyman Josh Johnson another chance to suit up and serve as Wilson's backup against the Texans. Johnson had a career game a few weeks ago, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns while filling in for an injured White in the second half on Thursday Night Football.
Jets’ QB scorecard:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 23, 2021
🏈Zach Wilson cleared to return from his knee injury and start Sunday vs Houston.
🏈Mike White tested positive for COVID.
🏈Joe Flacco deemed a close contact.
🏈Josh Johnson poised to be promoted off practice squad to back up Wilson.
This isn't the first time a Jets player has landed on the COVID-19 list either. Second-year wideout Denzel Mims tested positive for the virus recently, forcing him to miss each of the last two games.
As much as Flacco and White's exposure to COVID-19 might seem like it had an impact on Wilson's return to the starting lineup, Connor Hughes of The Athletic assured that this virus-related update had no bearing on Wilson's status. Wilson was cleared and named the starter for this week no matter what.
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Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.
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