The New York Jets took another blow in their preparations for the 2022 NFL season as offensive lineman Mekhi Becton is expected to be out for the season.
NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that Becton’s kneecap will sideline him in the upcoming campaign.
It’s another blow to his career after playing just one game last season.
But while others may write him off, head coach Robert Saleh is convinced that Becton will come back stronger.
"I don't know if the Jets have the horses yet on the field this year, but I know they've got the leader."@KyleBrandt and the #GMFB crew react to Robert Saleh's support of Mekhi Becton. pic.twitter.com/orJxtoAYdB
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) August 10, 2022
Saleh said in a recent press conference, “Mekhi has walked into this building and has taken every punch you can get from every which way. He shows up and he works his tail off and he grinds every single day. He shows up to camp and he’s fighting to get himself back in shape.”
He added, “He’s got videos of him vomiting and people throwing shade when he’s limping and doing all those different things and he’s fighting for his family, for himself, for his teammates, for this organization, for this fanbase. He’s doing everything and then everything wants to drop him.”
Saleh closed with, “We love Mekhi. We appreciate everything he’s done. And his ride is not over. His story is not over.”
A Quick Glimpse Of Becton’s Career
After spending three seasons at Louisville, Becton was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The offensive tackle then signed a four-year, $18.4 million rookie contract.
He went on to play 14 games in his rookie season and started in 13 of those games.
Last season, he suffered cartilage damage on his knee that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Becton is also a First-Team All-ACC and the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Award in 2019.
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