Jets’ White cleared by docs, will start at QB on Sunday

Mike White is back as quarterback for the New York Jets.

And just in time with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

Cleared by team doctors, White will start in Seattle on Sunday after missing the Jets’ last two games while dealing with broken ribs sustained in New York’s 20-12 loss at Buffalo on March 11. had moved in December.

“I thought Mike did a great job moving offense, maintaining drives and making first downs,” said coach Robert Saleh while confirming the decision. “Much more efficient. Our offensive ran with good efficiency.

“It’s a great opportunity for him, a great opportunity for everyone.”

White has had limited training since then but was not cleared for contact, leaving him unable to play.

This release came on Monday. And with the Jets (7-8) still in the playoff hunt with two games to go, they’re getting their quarterback back. And “barring injury,” Saleh said, as long as the season lasts. But the coach wouldn’t go so far as to speculate whether white might be the long-term answer to the quarterback.

“He just has to take it one day at a time,” Saleh said, “and go from there.”

Saleh said Joe Flacco would serve as White’s backup and Zach Wilson will become the No. 3 quarterback from the last two games and will be inactive Sunday.

White went 80 of 129 for 952 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions while starting three games in place of Wilson on the bench. He was twice knocked out of the game against the Bills. X-rays at the stadium were clear and he finished the game, but CT scans at a hospital showed a fracture of his ribs.

“A few in a row,” White said two weeks ago, “that really makes that area vulnerable.”

Jets team doctors ruled he could not be cleared for contact, and White said he sought the opinion of about 10 independent doctors, who all agreed.

Wilson fought mightily starting the last two games in White’s absence, but fought mightily. He was replaced by fourth quarterback Chris Streveler, who was promoted from the practice team before the game to add spark to the Jets in their 3-19 loss to Jacksonville last Thursday night.

Wilson, benched to reset his mechanics and mental approach, went 27 of 53 for 409 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in losses to Detroit and Jacksonville.

Saleh insisted Monday that the Jets “are not giving up on the young man.” But Wilson’s performance against the Jaguars in front of a national crowd — 9 of 18 for 92 yards and an INT — was a clear indication he wasn’t fixing his mistakes.

“I still think he has a future here,” Saleh said. “I still think he’s going to be a really good quarterback. He needs time to sit back and continue the development that we’re trying to get going again after the New England game (before his first bench press), if you will.

“But we still have him in our future and in our plans.”

The Jets’ playoff situation seemed bleak after that loss, but New York got some good news with the results of a few other games over the weekend. Miami, New England and Las Vegas all lost, leaving New York ninth in the AFC playoff standings behind the Patriots (7-8) and Dolphins (8-7).

The Jets can weather an 11-year postseason drought if they win their last two games in Seattle and Miami and the Patriots lose one of their last two to Miami at home or in Buffalo.

“We still have to find ourselves, we still have to find confidence and we still have to get the ball rolling,” Saleh said. “And it starts with how we prepare each day and how we attack those moments.

“The playoffs and all that stuff is cool, but we just have to stay connected to this moment in Seattle and Seattle.”

NOTES: Saleh is confident S Lamarcus Joyner will return this week after a hip injury that sidelined him in the last two games. … Saleh said the addition of Streveler to the Jacksonville offense was “a cool little wrinkle,” comparing it to what Taysom Hill did to New Orleans. Streveler led the Jets with 54 yards rushing last Thursday night. “That’s something we’re talking about,” Saleh said. “But it’s not a guarantee.”