NY Jets’ Duane Brown ruled out for Week 3

New York Jets LT Duane Brown will not play against the New England Patriots

As has been common over the past few years, the New York Jets are dealing with another injury along the offensive line.

Starting left tackle Duane Brown has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the New England Patriots.

OL Duane Brown has been downgraded to out #NEvsNYJ https://t.co/WaUypOyyJD

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 23, 2023

Brown did not practice this week, as the veteran has been dealing with a shoulder injury and a new hip injury.

This new development goes against what Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh said in his media availability yesterday. When asked about Brown, Saleh said he still felt “very confident” about the tackle’s availability for Sunday.

As for finding a replacement, Saleh said that the Jets “have plans in place” but said it was “unlikely” they would have to use them. Earlier this week, offensive line coach Keith Carter alluded that Billy Turner would get the start at left tackle if Brown could not play.

OL coach Keith Carter on Duane Brown, who missed the last two days of practice: "We have all the confidence in the world that Duane will be ready to go."

If Brown can't go, it sounds like it would likely be Billy Turner at LT. Carter said that Mekhi Becton will stay at right…

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 21, 2023

With how Turner looked in training camp and the preseason, his elevation to the starting lineup would contradict the Jets’ assurance that they would play their best five linemen. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has shown the versatility to play both tackle spots, and his shifting would allow the Jets to insert talented rookie Joe Tippmann into the lineup.

Regardless of how the Jets replace Brown, it is unfortunate that they have to scramble to find a replacement very late into the week. It is the latest in a string of injuries that have added even more adversity to the Jets’ season.