EAST RUTHERFORD — It truly seems like it’s one step forward, three steps back for the New York Jets on their three-game winning streak.
After Gang Green moved to 4-3 on the season with a 13-10 overtime win over the cross-town rival New York Giants, many believed that the team could use the win to turn a corner for the remainder of the 2023 season. As it currently stands, the Jets sit in a tie for the sixth seed in the AFC Playoffs after all.
As it has been with every win this season though, New York’s victory Sunday came at a significant cost to the team, and more specifically, the offensive line.
Starting center Connor McGovern left the game early on Sunday with a knee injury that saw him leave the locker room with a brace on. His immediate backup, Wes Schweitzer, also left the game just a few series later with a calf injury and was seen with a boot on afterward.
Injuries to McGovern and Schweitzer made it extremely hard for the Jets offense to move the ball effectively on Sunday. Despite the win, finding a way to replace both is even more of a problem even if the glass is half-full from the coaching staff.
“Credit first to Keith (Carter), our o-line coach just staying composed,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “Credit to those guys for continuing to fight and stick together and I thought for the most part we were able to keep Zach semi-clean.”
McGovern and Schweitzer are both scheduled for MRIs on Monday to determine the severity of their injuries. They weren’t the only injuries suffered either. Al Woods, the veteran run-stuffing defensive tackle has been lost for the season due to a torn Achilles injury he suffered in the win. Woods wasn’t considered a top pass rusher, but his impact in the locker room is a massive blow to the team.
Woods’ injury is the third season-ending Achilles tear that the Jets have seen to starters this season. In three of the four victories the team has earned this year, they have lost their starting quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), right tackle (Alijah Vera-Tucker), and now defensive tackle to the same injury. While Rodgers has consistently said he would like to return before the end of the regular season, both AVT and Woods are done for the year.
With an injury to Woods, the Jets have enough depth along the defensive line to mitigate his loss though. It’s the injuries along the offensive line that continue to plague this organization, just as it did in 2022. That’s what makes winning games short-handed so impressive for Saleh and his staff – regardless of how the game looked.
“To get out of this game, like I said, knowing there are things we need to fix, especially with the offensive line with guys getting healthy, overall felt like it was the best-case scenario,” Saleh stated.
Where do Jets go from here?
New York may be riding high on a three-game winning streak, but they need to find answers along their offensive line quickly. Upcoming matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers and LassVegas Raiders are certainly winnable but are much harder to gameplan for when there’s so much uncertainty at the most important positions.
The good news for New York is that there may be some reinforcements coming back shortly. Joe Tippmann was not put on IR due to his quad injury and could be back this week. Duane Brown, the team’s veteran tackle could also return off IR soon.
With Tippmann and Brown expected back. the Jets could theoretically put forth a competent starting five on the field even if McGovern and Schweitzer’s injuries are long-term.
But where would Brown play – left or right tackle? Would the Jets be okay with Mekhi Becton working at two different positions with his history of knee problems? Would Max Mitchell move to guard?
These are just some of the questions Saleh and the Jets front office will have to answer over the next few weeks. If they aren’t careful and diligent with their decisions along the O-Line, their 2023 season could sink just as quickly as it did the year prior.
As it always seems to be the case with this Jets roster, it’s one step forward and two steps back. Now, it’s up to the front office and coaching staff to mitigate those losses for the remainder of the season – no matter how serious they end up being.
