During Monday’s training camp practice, the New York Jets suffered what may be a major setback. Reporters on the scene said offensive tackle Mekhi Becton collapsed after practice’s second play and seemed to have hurt his surgically repaired right knee. After that, the first-round pick in 2020 hobbled to the locker room and missed the rest of the game.
Becton will have an MRI on his knee, but there is initial optimism that the injury is not serious, according to head coach Robert Saleh after practice. But since then, many things have altered significantly.
The NFL Network said Monday night that the injury is “more concerning” than the organization initially believed and is unconnected to the earlier knee problem that held him out for almost the all of last season. This is a “new injury” for Becton, according to Saleh, who appeared on WFAN on Tuesday morning. Although they are still awaiting second views, Saleh said, “clearly it’s not looking good.” The company is “sick” for Becton, he continued, adding that.
Becton’s right knee was hurt in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, keeping him out for the majority of the previous season. Becton has missed 18 games since being selected No. 11 overall in 2020 due to injuries, and his conditioning has occasionally caused him to lose the organization’s favor. This year’s training camp for the Louisville product also underwent significant change as the team switched him from left tackle to right tackle.
It will be interesting to watch their next move at the tackle position if this injury is as serious as the club fears. Duane Brown, a seasoned left tackle, recently visited the team as a free agent, so he might be a choice if Becton is forced to miss a substantial amount of time or if New York simply wants to add to its depth at the position moving forward.
