Potential Tippmann Absence Poses Issue for Jets' Offensive Line
Joe Tippmann's injury status, which will be revealed this upcoming week, could force the New York Jets to add interior offensive line depth to the 53-man roster.
The Jets weren't required to release any updates on Tippmann during the bye week, but head coach Robert Saleh made a somewhat revealing comment following the win over Philadelphia.
"Tippmann is dealing with a thigh. Might be a while. We’ll get more," said Saleh after the second-round rookie exited late in the second quarter on October 15 and never returned.
Tippmann, the No. 43 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, made four starts at right guard after Gang Green reconfigured its offensive line prior to the Week 3 battle against New England.
With a real possibility of a multi-week absence for the starting right guard, the Jets may need to find a backup plan at both center and guard.
The versatile Wes Schweitzer, who is also the emergency center behind starter Connor McGovern and Tippmann, would likely fill in at right guard as he did for the remainder of the Week 6 win. That would leave no true interior lineman on the bench as insurance policy.
Veteran Billy Turner, who is currently backing up Mekhi Becton at left tackle, could presumably kick inside to guard in an emergency. Turner started multiple games as a guard earlier in his NFL career. Meanwhile, second-year pro Max Mitchell has been the replacement for the injured Alijah Vera-Tucker at right tackle.
It's undetermined if the Jets would be interested in bringing an Oday Aboushi type player off the couch. Aboushi played the last 15 games of the 2022 season for the Los Angeles Rams.
The most likely move seems to be a Practice Squad elevation such as second-year pro Jason Poe. Joining the Jets on August 31, Poe spent the entire 2022 campaign on the San Francisco 49ers' Practice Squad.
READ MORE:
Achilles Tear Ends Season Early for Jets' Starting Tackle
Mecole Hardman's Already Gone, Veteran Defensive End Next?
