Jets Could Be Without Starting Left Tackle vs. Patriots in Week 3
At this point last week, Duane Brown was already practicing albeit on a limited basis.
By the looks of Thursday's injury report, the New York Jets' starting left tackle has experienced a setback of some kind.
On the rebound from offseason shoulder surgery, Brown had been following a customized practice regimen prior to the team's first two regular season games. The veteran bookend would begin the week practicing on a limited basis before stepping up to full participation in time for the game.
This week, however, the 38-year-old Brown has been a non-participant on both Wednesday and Thursday. Making the situation even more concerning, he now has two issues listed next to his name on the official injury report. In addition to the surgically-repaired shoulder that costed him to miss most of training camp, Brown is apparently experiencing a hip issue.
Quickly running through the injury report prior to Wednesday's practice, Jets' head coach Robert Saleh referred to Brown's expected absence as "normal."
"Duane Brown, normal, he won’t practice today," said Saleh.
A second straight DNP coupled with the emergence of the hip problem suggests that something is up with Brown and his availability for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots could be in question.
Saleh is scheduled to address reporters on Friday in Florham Park and will most certainly be asked about the team's starting left tackle.
Despite receiving multiple negative reviews for his performance, Brown has played 100 percent of Jets' offensive snaps through two games. The 2008 first-round draft pick has logged 217 career starts during the NFL regular season. In 2022, he played 12 games through a torn rotator cuff.
Should Brown be unable to play Sunday, veteran Billy Turner is seemingly the next man up. Outside of starting right tackle Mekhi Becton and Brown, Turner and second-year pro Max Mitchell are the only bookends on the Jets' 53-man roster. Mitchell was a gameday inactive in both Weeks 1 and 2.
When asked about Brown's effectiveness over the first two games, Saleh defended the grizzled veteran.
"I think he’s fine. Micah [Parsons] is a hell of a football player," said Saleh.
Parsons, a two-time All-Pro, registered seven quarterback pressures, four QB hits and 3.0 tackles-for-loss against Gang Green's offensive in Week 2.
Earlier on Thursday, the Jets announced the addition of an offensive tackle to their Practice Squad, swapping out rookie Ryan Swoboda in favor of familiar veteran Cedric Ogbuehi.
Jets' Official Injury Report
THURSDAY
S Tony Adams (hamstring) — DNP
OL Duane Brown (shoulder, hip) — DNP
DE John Franklin-Myers (hip) — LP
K Greg Zuerlein (groin) — LP
OL Mekhi Bection (knee) — LP
CB Michael Carter II (elbow) — LP
RB Breece Hall (knee) — LP
LB Quincy Williams (knee) — LP
WEDNESDAY
S Tony Adams (hamstring) — DNP
OL Duane Brown (shoulder, hip) — DNP
DE John Franklin-Myers (hip) — DNP
K Greg Zuerlein (groin) — DNP
OL Mekhi Bection (knee) — LP
CB Michael Carter II (elbow) — LP
RB Breece Hall (knee) — LP
LB Quincy Williams (knee) — LP
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