The outlook for one of the Jets’ key offensive pieces is not looking good. Second-year tackle Mekhi Becton is still not practicing weeks after knee surgery, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello (via Twitter). 
Becton suffered the knee injury during the Jets’ Week 1 loss to the Panthers and was initially believed to be out four to six weeks. After a cleanup procedure meant to better the chances of Becton returning at some point this season, that timetable was extended by another two weeks.
[RELATED: Latest On Becton’s Timetable]
Almost three months removed from the procedure — and therefore three weeks overdue to be at least working toward a return — the 6-foot-7, 364-pound blocker is not in shape to resume practicing at this point, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes. Robert Saleh said Becton will “hopefully” return to practice at some point before the campaign is over.
With the Jets at 3-9 and in the basement of the AFC East again, however, there is likely not much need to rush the 2020 No. 11 overall pick back to action. The third tackle selected last year, Becton only missed two games as a rookie. The gargantuan lineman played well when on the field, but weight-related concerns have dogged the Louisville alum during his Jets tenure.
The Jets have relied on Morgan Moses and George Fant to man the tackle positions throughout the year, but Becton’s return at any point would be welcomed. He is under contract through 2023, and the Jets have a 2024 option season to exercise down the road.
Given how big Becton is, there’s really no reason to try and rush him back. I mean, there isn’t any reason for any player to do so, but a person that tall with that much weight seems as if he would need to be extra sure that he’s fully healthy. Most importantly, though, the Jets aren’t playing for much this year. A lot of roster holes and player capabilities are being evaluated. The Jets already consider Becton part of their future plans-there’s no need for him even come back at all this year and risk further setbacks for a bad record.
The idea that players should only rehab hard and work to get themselves back on the field if the team is a contender is ridiculous. It’s a terrible precedent that only encourages other players to be malingerers.
Only if you frame it that way. It’s perfectly reasonable to avoid rushing a recovery when a team’s more worried about winning in the future.
Good thing he is not a Raiders, then this would just be another article on how Mayock cannot judge talent and this is just another busted Raider draft pick. It’s the Jets so even at 3-9 they have two reliable backups and years left on the contract to exercise judgment.
What are you talking about? How is this like Mayock’s busted picks?
He’s saying that the Raiders get unfair treatment judgement-wise.
Which part is unfair? Ferrell and Arnette were drafted way ahead of their consensus level and now are zeroes. Abram and Jacobs were poor positional value and only one of them is actually good. Leatherwood was a big consensus reach and has played poorly (although I try to reserve judgment on rookie O-linemen). Becton has actually been good when he’s played.
Wait until next year. And if the Jets are smart and load up on OL with the first two picks, they’ll have a young and hopefully solid front line to protect Wilson for years. It all begins and ends at the line
at both lines O & D
Definitely build the line more, but I don’t think they can spend two more first rounders on the O-line this year. Their defense has far too many holes, and having four first round picks in one position group in four years will make it chaotically expensive before too long. Maybe another tackle in the first, but you can find good interior linemen after the first round.