Jets' coach Robert Saleh cleared to return from COVID-19 list

The Jets had a familiar face back in the building and a familiar voice leading them during practice on Wednesday.

Robert Saleh’s quarantine is over. He was cleared to rejoin the Jets at around 7 a.m., a week after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Saleh said he was already "knee deep in work," preparing for Sunday’s game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he got word that he could leave his hotel room and return to the Jets’ facility.

"It’s like the first day of school," Saleh said on a zoom call Wednesday morning. "I’m ready to go another 18 weeks."

The Jets also activated nine players from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday — six from the active roster and three from the practice squad. On Tuesday, the NFL changed the standard isolation period for players who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic from 10 days to five regardless of vaccination status.

Quarterback Joe Flacco, tight end Kenny Yeboah, defensive linemen Foley Fatukasi, Jonathan Marshall, linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen and cornerback Michael Carter II were cleared of the COVID-19 protocols. Linebacker Noah Dawkins, defensive lineman Tanzel Smart and cornerback Lamar Jackson were restored to the practice squad.

The Jets still have 17 players on the COVID-19 list. Saleh said they hope that offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and safety Ashtyn Davis will be cleared this week along with practice squad receiver Vyncint Smith and defensive lineman Hamilcar Rashed.

There is another group of players that Saleh said is in the "50-50 range," including defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who tested positive Sunday morning,

"It’s good to have [Saleh] back because he’s a big part of this team," right tackle Morgan Moses said. "He gets all the guys together and he’s an energy driver, too."

Things are far from normal, but they’re starting to head in that direction for the Jets.

Ron Middleton, who guided the Jets to a 26-21 win over the Jaguars as acting coach, returned to his role as tight ends coach. And the Jets started to prepare to play against a very familiar face.

The Jets (4-11) used to face Brady twice a year during his 19 seasons with AFC-East rival New England. Twice they met three times. Sunday will be the first time the Jets square off against Brady as a member of the Buccaneers.

Saleh, who is two years younger than the 44-year-old Brady, marvels at how Brady is still playing at the highest level.

"I’m going to ask him what water he drinks," Saleh said. "I’m going to ask him a lot of question about health because I need to get out of bed with probably the ease at which he does. He’s phenomenal.

"Just watching his tape, I’m in absolute awe of his pocket presence, his footwork, just all of it, his decision-making. He’s an absolute stud and no question the greatest that’s ever played the position. Anyone who questions it, just look at the amount of rings he has."

Brady won his seventh last year when he led the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl victory over Kansas City. The Jets hope their young quarterback, Zach Wilson, can lead them to one, maybe even before Brady retires.

The Jets are out of playoff contention for the 11th consecutive year — the longest active streak in the NFL. But they believe they’re starting to build something, and the growth Wilson has shown recently makes them optimistic about the future.

The strides may be incremental, but Wilson has played more freely and his decision making has improved. He hasn’t thrown an interception in four straight games.

Wilson had a strong game Sunday without his three starting receivers and two starting guards. He threw a touchdown pass and ran 52 yards for another in the win over Jacksonville.

Moses said Wilson has become more vocal lately and he’s "demanding greatness" from his teammates.

"As he’s getting comfortable, he’s learning how to demand greatness out of everybody around him," Moses said. "When you do that, when you have that type of player under center that demands greatness from every position the sky’s the limit for our offense."