BREAKIN NEWS: Jets Lose 147 Game Starter to Injury Amid Patriots Rout.
The New York Jets’ offensive line suffered a significant setback during their game against the New England Patriots. Starting tackle Morgan Moses was injured with just 17 seconds left in the third quarter when Aaron Rodgers was sacked and collided with Moses’ leg.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Moses is projected to be out for 2-4 weeks due to an MCL sprain and a bone bruise. After the game, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz confirmed that Moses sustained a knee injury, which will keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Schultz noted that surgery is unlikely, which would be the best outcome given the severity of the initial injury. Further tests are being conducted, but the team is hopeful the injury isn’t as bad as it first appeared.
Moses, 33, has been a reliable presence on the offensive line since being drafted 66th overall in 2014. Over his 11-year career, he has played in 155 games, starting 147 of them. From 2015 to 2022, he maintained a remarkable streak of 130 consecutive games. Although he usually played through injuries, his streak ended last season when he suffered a torn pec while with the Baltimore Ravens, forcing him to miss three games. He had surgery on the pec this offseason and was limited during spring training, and now he faces another injury that will keep him out for the foreseeable future. This could either be a sign of age catching up with him or simply a run of bad luck for the veteran player.
In preparation for such situations, the Jets selected Olu Fashanu from Penn State with the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft. The choice drew criticism on social media, as fans and analysts questioned the need for a player with no clear path to immediate playing time, following a similar situation from the previous year when they picked pass rusher Will McDonald 15th overall. However, this decision looks smarter as the season progresses. With Moses out, Fashanu can step in to fill the gap.
Before the season, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg called Fashanu the best “non-starter” in the NFL, praising his abilities as a backup swing tackle. Many believe the Jets’ season was compromised when Rodgers’ Achilles was torn, but the struggles of the offensive line contributed significantly as well, with constant changes to personnel undermining their performance.
After the issues of the 2023 season, Jets general manager Joe Douglas was determined to avoid a repeat in 2024. The selection of Fashanu proved to be a wise move, allowing the Jets to not just cope with Moses’ injury but potentially thrive with Fashanu stepping into the starting role.
