FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets left tackle George Fant was positioned on injured reserve Tuesday, their third offensive tackle to land on IR since coaching camp.
The harm could not come at a worse time for the Jets, who’re hoping quarterback Zach Wilson returns to the lineup Sunday in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Wilson begins, his blindside might be protected by a third-string left tackle, almost certainly Conor McDermott, a profession backup.
Fant’s surgically repaired left knee has been bothering him since coaching camp — the process was carried out within the offseason — lastly forcing him to the sideline throughout final Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He will miss at least 4 video games.
The Jets have endured a run of rotten luck at tackle.
In August, proper tackle Mekhi Becton went down in observe with a season-ending knee harm that required surgical procedure. They responded by signing former Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown to a two-year, $20 million contract, shifting Fant to proper tackle. Brown lasted seven practices and one preseason sport earlier than a severe shoulder harm compelled him to IR.
Brown, 37, is eligible to return subsequent week, though it is hardly a assure he might be able to play. For now, it seems to be like McDermott and rookie Max Mitchell (three begins) at left and proper tackle, respectively.
On Tuesday, the Jets added reinforcements, signing former Cincinnati Bengals first-round decide Cedric Ogbuehi from the Houston Texans’ observe squad. He was added to the Jets’ 53-man roster, that means he is perhaps their high backup on Sunday. Ogbuehi has 30 profession begins, however solely 5 over the previous 4 seasons. He has been launched by three totally different groups.
They additionally signed veteran tackle Mike Remmers to the observe squad. He has 90 profession begins, together with two final season for the Kansas City Chiefs. He wasn’t with a crew within the preseason.
This could not bode nicely for Wilson, who missed three video games as he recovered from arthroscopic knee surgical procedure. Coach Robert Saleh has stated he expects Wilson to be cleared by medical doctors for Sunday’s sport, pending a ultimate analysis.
If Wilson is not cleared, the Jets will begin Joe Flacco for the fourth straight week. He’s fifth in passing yardage (901), however has led the offense to solely 5 touchdowns and has been sacked 9 occasions. His lack of mobility, coupled with the offensive line points, is not an excellent system for the Jets (1-2).
“You’re down to your fourth and fifth guys,” Saleh stated of the tackle scenario. “At this point in the season, you don’t anticipate that. … At the end of the day, no one cares. You have to line up, you have to play football, you have to protect the quarterback.
“[Offensive coordinator Mike] LaFleur has received to seek out methods to guard the quarterback, no totally different than we did in opposition to Cleveland [in Week 2]. I received confidence within the guys that we’ll determine it out.”
Fant, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in 2020, has been some of the constant linemen, having began at each tackle spots over the previous three seasons. In the ultimate yr of his contract, Fant is eligible to return in Week 8.