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Jets say QB Mike White will start vs. Bills, Zach Wilson on scout team

The New York Jets' ever-changing quarterback depth chart will see another iteration this week as their prized rookie works back from injury.

Head coach Robert Saleh announced that QB Mike White, who suffered an arm injury last Thursday, will start Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. It will be the urban legend's third straight start despite an injury cutting short his last outing.

White had a brilliant first NFL start two weeks ago, leading a massive upset against the Cincinnati Bengals on Halloween with 405 yards and three TD passes. After starting four days later against the Indianapolis Colts, White started strong before leaving with the injury.

"It got better throughout the game," White said after the 45-30 loss to the Colts. "It feels better now, but I couldn't get enough effectiveness, grip and power to help the team."

However, Josh Johnson — who replaced White in that game and played well — will not be the backup this week. That duty belongs to Joe Flacco, whom the team traded a sixth-round pick for after the injury to 2021 first-rounder Zach Wilson.

So where does this leave Wilson, who is working his way back from a knee injury? For now, he'll perform scout-team duties until he's ready to return.

Saleh said earlier in the week it would be "irresponsible" to play Wilson in a game before he's fully healthy. The No. 2 overall pick this April has completed 57.5% of his passes, throwing for 1,168 yards with four TDs and nine INTs in six games.

In White's three games, including his relief appearance against the Patriots when Wilson suffered his knee injury, the 2018 fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 has completed 72.7% of his passes for 702 yards with five TDs and four INTs.

White's legend will have a chance to grow this week against the Bills, who were stunned in Week 9 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.