New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich shared an update on one of his injured players after Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets received positive news after a concerning moment during their loss to the Steelers. Backup offensive lineman Xavier Newman was taken off the field on a stretcher in the third quarter due to a neck injury. He was immobilized by paramedics and transported to a nearby hospital equipped with a top-level trauma center.
The injury occurred after Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw his second interception of the game. As Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. was returning the interception, Newman attempted to make a play but was blocked by Steelers defender Patrick Queen. The collision resulted in both players hitting helmets, and Newman fell to the ground, with his head appearing to snap back uncontrollably.
Play was halted for several minutes while medical staff attended to Newman, with both teams’ players surrounding the scene. NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark noted that the first step was to stabilize Newman’s neck, and he remained conscious. Later in the broadcast, it was reported that Newman showed movement in his limbs and was able to squeeze a paramedic’s hand.
After the game, Coach Ulbrich provided more good news, stating that Newman would fly back to New York with the team and that his tests, including X-rays, came back negative. “There’s huge relief in that,” Ulbrich said.
Newman entered the game after starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker exited in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Following Newman’s departure, Jake Hanson stepped in to finish the game.
Newman, now in his third NFL season after playing at Baylor University, joined the Jets this offseason after spending time with the Tennessee Titans from 2022 to 2023.
In addition to Newman’s injury, the Jets also faced challenges on defense, losing safety Tony Adams to a hamstring injury and backup safety Ashtyn Davis to concussion protocol during the game. The team was already without three key players: safety Chuck Clark, cornerback Michael Carter II, and cornerback D.J. Reed. Clark is currently on injured reserve and won’t be eligible to return for at least three more weeks.
