Joe Flacco arrives at Jets practice, expects to be ready for Week 9 at Colts

Joe Flacco has arrived. Again.

The quarterback, who started four games for the Jets last season and was reacquired in a trade with the Eagles on Tuesday after Zach Wilson suffered a sprained PCL in his right knee, finally reported on Friday and joined the team in practice.

"Happy he’s here," coach Robert Saleh said. "He’s an awesome individual. Get him out there in practice and we’ll be ready to roll."

Flacco’s game rollout likely won’t be until Thursday. Flacco, who signed with the Eagles as a free agent in the offseason, will be inactive on Sunday when the Jets host the Bengals.

Mike White will make his first NFL start, with Josh Johnson as his backup. But Flacco could get the nod, as at least White’s backup, when the Jets visit Indianapolis on Thursday.

Flacco, 36, was informed on Monday of the trade for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. The deal was announced on Tuesday. Still, he decided not to report until Friday because of what he called "family stuff."

Flacco said the delay was not because of COVID-19 protocols.

"It’s just going through some of the process of the logistics of getting up here," he said, "and making sure everything’s in place and making sure it’s all sorted out."

The Jets could have used Flacco all season as a veteran backup for Wilson, but the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback with Baltimore said he wanted to sign early in the offseason. When he joined the Eagles, the Jets still had Sam Darnold and hadn’t drafted Wilson yet.

Flacco said it’s good to be back. He lives close enough to the practice facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, and MetLife Stadium that the change won’t disrupt his family.

"Listen, theoretically, you could be traded anywhere," he said. "So to be traded up to a team and an organization that you feel comfortable with, a place that’s still only a little over an hour away from home, I feel fortunate to have it happen that way.’’

Of course, the Jets have a new coaching staff this season, but Flacco said he expects to be able to learn fast so he can be ready if needed on Thursday. "I’ve played long enough to be able to kind of adapt as much as I can on the fly and be ready as quick as possible," he said.

The Jets have to decide by Saturday whether to place Wilson on injured reserve. If they do, he will miss at least three games.

"He’s been improving," Saleh said of his injured rookie quarterback. "He’s walking around the building. He’s in great spirits. He’s been doing everything he needs to do as a professional."

Notes & quotes: Leading receiver Corey Davis, who injured his hip on Thursday, is listed as doubtful. "It’s not looking good," Saleh said. "We’re still holding on to hope, but it’s trending in that direction." Davis has 24 catches for 349 yards and four touchdowns. His absence would mean an expanded role for Denzel Mims . . . The Jets will get some help at linebacker as Quincy Williams was cleared from concussion protocol and Jarrad Davis (ankle) should be activated off injured reserve.

By Anthony Rieber

anthony.rieber@newsday.comAnthonyRieber

Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.