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.

Jets tackle Mekhi Becton will miss anywhere between four to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery, according to head coach Robert Saleh. This is already a longer timetable than initially projected — early reports pegged Becton at 4-6 weeks.

The promising left tackle went through with a second opinion, which confirmed season-ending surgery would not be required. The Jets instead will hope this cartilage cleanup procedure, which is scheduled for Wednesday, will allow Becton to return this season (Twitter link via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler).

Becton, the Jets’ 2020 first-round pick, went down early in the season opener against the Panthers. The Jets went on to lose 19-14. Becton will be sorely missed for the next month or two, starting with Sunday’s tilt against the Patriots.

The Jets will deploy George Fant at left tackle while Morgan Moses mans the right side. The Jets are surely glad that they picked up the longtime Washington starter in June. Ideally, Moses would be serving as the No. 3 tackle behind Becton and Fant. But, with Becton out of action for several weeks, he’ll be playing a much more key role on the front five.

Moses went six straight seasons without missing a game for the Washington Football Team, but they opted revamp their tackle group with rookie Samuel Cosmi and ex-Bears LT Charles Leno. According to the advanced metrics, 2020 might have been Moses’ best year yet as he placed top-20 for tackles, per Pro Football Focus. Before that, the advanced metrics framed him as a middle-of-the-road blocker from 2017 through 2019.

In a best case scenario, the Jets could have Becton return after their bye. The next week, on 10/24, they’ll face the Pats for a second time.

Jets tackle Mekhi Becton has been diagnosed with a knee cap dislocation (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). He’ll now have to undergo arthroscopic surgery and rest up for 4-6 weeks before he retakes the field. The Jets placed the second-year blocker on IR Tuesday.

Becton, the Jets’ 2020 first rounder, got his right leg caught between guard Greg Van Roten and Panthers defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon on Sunday. The Jets carted him off the field as the Sam Darnold-led Panthers went on to win 19-14.

The news could have been a whole lot worse, but it’s still a bad blow to the Jets’ offensive line. Without him, the Jets will call on Morgan Moses to play opposite of George Fant. Moses is a solid protector in his own right with lots of starting experience, but doesn’t offer the same kind of upside.

The 0-1 Jets will likely place Becton on the short-term injured reserve list, opening up a roster spot for a depth signing. It’s likely that they’ll add another tackle today or tomorrow as prepare for the Patriots on Sunday. Alternatively, they could promote one of their two tackles — Isaiah Williams and Grant Hermanns — from the 16-man practice squad.

Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain during Sunday’s game (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). A forthcoming MRI will tell doctors more, but Becton’s probably looking at a short-term IR stint in a best case scenario.

This is not the first time Becton has run into trouble on the health front since coming to the Jets. The Louisville alum missed two games with a shoulder injury last season and exited another because of a chest ailment that affected his breathing. Then, this summer, he was slowed by a foot issue.

At 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, Becton is one of the largest players in NFL history. He’s playing at a lower weight in his second pro season, but no amount of conditioning can totally safeguard a player against injury.

The 2020 first-round pick got his right leg caught between teammate Greg Van Roten and Panthers defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon in the third quarter. The Panthers, and old pal Sam Darnold, went on to win 19-14.

Becton was still one of the league’s most impressive rookies last year and still profiles as a promising long-term option for the Jets — they haven’t had a stellar tackle since D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired years ago. But, in the short term, it sounds like they’ll have to look elsewhere.

One of a few first-round tackles to make an impact as rookies last season, Mekhi Becton is in position to become a cornerstone player for the Jets. But Zach Wilson‘s blindside blocker will need some time off this summer.

Becton is battling a foot injury, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who tweets plantar fasciitis will keep the second-year left tackle off the field for a time. While Becton is not expected to require surgery or miss training camp time, the Jets are keeping him off his feet for the time being.

This is not the first time Becton has run into trouble on the health front since coming to the Jets. The Louisville alum missed two games with a shoulder injury last season and exited another because of a chest ailment that affected his breathing. At 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, Becton is one of the largest players in NFL history. He is believed to have played at a higher weight than listed as a rookie, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello, who notes the Jets levied discipline for this last year.

Becton still managed to suit up for 14 games in 2020 and was one of the league’s most impressive rookies. He profiles as the long-term option here the Jets have lacked since D’Brickashaw Ferguson‘s retirement. But unavailability has become a factor early in Becton’s career. If injuries continue to pile up for the talented lineman, this will become a central issue for the team.