New York Jets provide injury update on left tackle Mekhi Becton

New York Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton went into the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury during a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. He missed the team’s final preseason game but has two weeks before the regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

The Jets opted to hold out rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, in part due to the shuffling that was caused by the injury. First-year head coach Robert Saleh provided an injury update on his young offensive lineman following the preseason finale.

“We’re not concerned about his Week One availability. For the most part, everyone who has been banged up we’re very, very optimistic about Week One,” said Saleh, via NBC Sports.

Rookie running back Michael Carter joins veteran safety Lamarcus Joyner and second-year wide receiver Denzel Mims on the injury list with Mekhi Becton. All NFL teams must begin issuing injury reports for Week One a week from Wednesday.

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Mekhi Becton stands tall at 6-foot-7, 363 pounds as the New York Jets’ left tackle of the future. The Jets newest signing, veteran offensive lineman Morgan Moses, is readying for an eclipse playing alongside Becton.

“I thought I was a big dude,” Moses said jokingly, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “But I was like, ‘Dang, he’s blocking the sun from me.’”

Becton is expected to lead a Jets offensive line that should be much better in 2021. The left side of the New York offensive line looks to be set for years to come, highlighted by Becton and Vera-Tucker.

In his final season at Louisville, Becton was named to the first-team All-ACC. Afterwards, the Jets drafted him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, eleventh overall. Last season, he started 13 games for the franchise.

He dealt with a shoulder injury last season but showed great promise in the games he played.

Becton and Moses are familiar with each other. The two met at a Washington training camp in Richmond, while Becton was visiting a former teammate from Louisville. Since then, Moses has kept an eye on Becton’s development as a player.

“Just being able to see his development pattern over the years, going into his second year, has been great,” Moses said of Becton, via Jets.com. “He’s a young, talented player and the sky’s the limit for him. Anything I can do for him, just from a knowledge standpoint from football, I’m willing to help him.”

Moses sees the limitless potential in Becton, even when Becton blocks out the sun.