FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets, who allowed six sacks at the start of the season, suffered a major blow to their offensive line Monday with the news that Mekhi Becton will set aside a minimum of four to six weeks with a right knee hat.
Becton, his 2020 first-round draft pick, will seek a second opinion to determine if surgery is needed, said coach Robert Saleh. Earlier Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Becton is expected to have arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage.
That means rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, who was hit 10 times in Sunday’s 19-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers, will be left without his No. 1 protector at the white gate.
“We feel fortunate to have three initial legitimate attacks,” Saleh said, alluding to George Fant and Morgan Moses, as well as Becton.
Without Becton, the Jets will move Fant to the left, their natural position. Moses, who started the season on the bench after losing to Fant in the right-handed competition, will become the right-back’s starter. His streak of 96 straight outings, all with the Washington football team, was broken on Sunday.
The Jets also lost two starters on defense. Free Security Lamarcus Joyner (torn triceps) will be operated on and will miss the rest of the season. New central defender Jamien Sherwood (ankle sprain) will be out for two weeks. Pointer Braden Mann (knee sprain) will miss a minimum of four to six weeks.
Becton was injured in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Passing away from the ball, he fell hard when Carolina’s defensive attack, Daviyon Nixon, rolled the back of his right leg. Becton, who writhed in pain as the players knelt around him, was taken to the locker room.
“Mekhi is obviously a unique human being in his size and athletic abilities,” guard Greg Van Roten said. “We’ll miss him and get him back as soon as possible, but I think we have the boys in the room to deal with the storm.”
Becton took to Twitter on Monday and showed he was still in a good mood.
Only positive vibrations. I will be good!
– Trend topic 🤫 (@ BigTicket73) September 13, 2021
This continues with a run of bad luck for Becton (6 feet 7, 363 pounds), who was sometimes imposing as a rookie. He missed two full games and parts of another four in 2020 due to an annoying shoulder injury.
This season, he injured his foot on the first day of OTA training in May. It was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis and ended up losing the entire low season. At training camp, he suffered a concussion and missed two weeks of training before the season opened.
Becton admitted last week that the lost spring contributed to an inconsistent training camp. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur recently called Becton and said he’s “going through some things” and needs to play better. Becton later acknowledged that his camp “could have been better,” but said he was “a little confused” by LaFleur’s comments.
The Jets selected him eleventh overall in 2020, the first draft pick by general manager Joe Douglas.
To replace Mann, who was also injured on Sunday, the Jets will audition the bettors. Kicker Matt Ammendola did a fantastic job as an emergency pointer, averaging 48.5 yards on six points. He said it was the first time he was betting on a match at any level.
The Jets did receive positive news. Great receiver Jamison Crowder, who tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the first week, is expected to retire this week, Saleh said.