Jets' Jeremy Ruckert (concussion) won't play Thursday night vs. Browns
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) celebrates with New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert (89) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
Jeremy Ruckert already has been ruled out of this week’s Jets game.
The second-year tight end from Lindenhurst suffered a concussion in Sunday’s 30-28 victory over the Commanders. Ruckert has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and won’t be cleared by Thursday night when the Jets play in Cleveland, Robert Saleh said.
Ruckert wasn’t targeted in Sunday’s game, but he delivered some key blocks in the running game, including one that helped spring Breece Hall for his 36-yard touchdown. Ruckert has 16 catches for 151 yards this season.
Wilson iffy
Zach Wilson remains in the concussion protocol. Saleh said the quarterback is “progressing” and that he’s “hopeful” he will be cleared. The Jets will have more information when they return to practice Tuesday.
“He’s not out of the woods yet,” Saleh said.
If Wilson can’t play, Trevor Siemian will start for the second straight game.
No ordinary Joe
Former Jets quarterback Joe Flacco has been lighting it up for the Browns. Flacco is 3-1 in four starts with Cleveland and has thrown 10 touchdown passes, matching the total of the Jets’ entire quarterback room this season.
The Jets will get an up-close look at him Thursday night. The Browns, who improved to 10-5 with Sunday’s 36-22 win at Houston, have won three in a row and can clinch a playoff berth by beating the Jets.
Saleh isn’t surprised by Flacco’s success.
“Joe, I’ve said it before, he’s like a Ford pickup truck,” he said of the 38-year-old. “You might not like it in the summer, but in the winter months, December, January, that son of a gun starts humming. He’s playing some really, really, really good football.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
