The Jets’ offensive line depth has taken another blow
Another New York Jets’ offensive lineman bites the dust.
Barely a week after he returned from injured reserve following a knee injury, Max Mitchell is going on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list and is out for the season, per head coach Robert Saleh.
Saleh refused to elaborate, but the injury must have occurred sometime in the last day or two following the Vikings game. Mitchell started against Minnesota but was benched for George Fant after struggling early.
The Jets’ right tackle question is answered the hard way, as Fant is now forced back into the starting lineup. He was likely going to start against the Bills, anyway, after playing well in relief in his first game back. Still, the fact that the Jets started Mitchell in that game indicates that they wanted to see what they had and give him room to learn and grow. Now, Mike Remmers is the Jets’ lone available swing tackle.
The Jets also added Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the active roster.
The #Jets have signed OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the active roster and placed OL Max Mitchell on NFI.
OL Sam Schlueter has been signed to the practice squad.
— NYJ Communications (@NYJetsPR) December 7, 2022
Fant now has a great opportunity to showcase his skills to all 32 teams ahead of free agency. He certainly looked limber out there against the fierce Vikings edge-rushing duo. If he can keep this up, perhaps he can get the big contract that he sought this past offseason, although a reunion with the Jets still does not seem likely.
In other news, Saleh announced that several Jets players are dealing with the flu and won’t practice today. Fant, D.J. Reed, Micheal Clemons, and Corey Davis are all down with the bug.
At the end of the press conference, Saleh confirmed that Bam Knight “is not going anywhere” in response to a question about whether the rookie UDFA has earned a piece of the pie. Michael Carter practiced fully today, which makes it more likely that James Robinson will be a healthy scratch against the Bills after averaging just 2.5 yards per carry in limited action vs. the Vikings.
Never a dull moment in East Rutherford.
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Hoping everyone gets better soon !!! Still believing for this Season !!! Go Jets !!!
The Jets must prioritize the offensive line in the college football draft. Not to do so is negligence.
I would be very surprised if they don’t pick a tackle in the first round next year, and they could potentially hit the free agent market, as well.
I don’t know enough about teams using NFI; do mental health issues fall into this?
Is it possible that Max “blew a rod” after being pulled? Doesn’t seem likely.
If it’s not football related, what else could it be? Are there rules restricting its use?
Can we please have a week or two of peace and calm???!!
It could be any sort of injury sustained off the field, such as falling in the shower and hurting himself, going on vacation and breaking his hand in an ATV (as Xavier McKinney of the Giants did), getting in a car accident, or countless other possibilities.
My biggest questions are whether it’s an issue of Mitchell’s negligence and whether this will affect him heading into next year.
Starting to hear that it is a mental health issue
I’m also hearing that, but it seems to be speculation at this point. I’ve also heard that it could be a previously-undiagnosed physical illness and that Saleh is protecting his privacy.