Jets Make Four Offensive Line Moves for Black Friday Game vs. Dolphins
The New York Jets made multiple roster adjustments involving offensive linemen on Thursday.
Prepping for the first-ever NFL Black Friday Game against the Miami Dolphins on November 24, the Jets activated veteran left tackle Duane Brown off Injured Reserve. The team also added interior lineman Xavier Newman to the active 53-man roster, signing the second-year pro off the Practice Squad.
In a corresponding move, the Green & White released guard Chris Glaser, who started against Buffalo in Week 11, from the active 53. The Jets had already created one roster opening by cutting tackle Daniel Kelly on Wednesday.
The Jets also designated two Practice Squad players as gameday elevations for Week 12. Offensive lineman Jacob Hanson and defensive tackle Tanzel Smart will be available for the Friday matinee. Hanson provides insurance at center while Smart, who recently rejoined the P-Squad, will be the fourth interior lineman on a defensive unit that lost Al Woods for the season.
Brown landed on Injured Reserve back in September. He played two full games before a hip problem emerged and forced the 38-year-old back onto the shelf.
The Jets opened Brown's 21-day activation window earlier this month and were required to make a decision by Thursday. He has been a full participant in practice for the past few weeks, but needed to show he could handle ramping up to game speed.
"We’re just working through it, trying to see where he’s at," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.
Brown, who made 12 appearances while playing through a torn rotator cuff in 2022, has 217 career starts to his credit. His return to the lineup means Mekhi Becton will likely be asked to switch back to the right tackle spot. Becton, whose Week 12 availability is in question due to an ankle injury, made eight straight starts at left tackle in place of the injured Brown.
Newman was banged up last week, and the Jets opted to leave him on the Practice Squad as a result. On Tuesday, Saleh said the interior lineman was "trending in the right direction."
With Newman's health improving, the team needed to sign him to the active roster in order to make him available for Friday's game. Newman had already exhausted his three allotted gameday callups. He was most recently the starting right guard for the Week 10 primetime affair against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Glaser was active for three games this season, making one start. He played all 57 offensive snaps against the Bills at right guard.
READ MORE:
Jets Promote Veteran QB, Welcome Familiar Face Back to P-Squad
Embedded Reporter Dishes on Dolphins, NFL Black Friday Matchup
