Morgan Moses to Miss a Couple of Games After Knee Injury in Week 3
The New York Jets will be without their stalwart right tackle, Morgan Moses, for the next couple of games following a knee injury he sustained during their Week 3 clash against the New England Patriots. The injury, which occurred late in the third quarter, was the result of a significant collision involving Patriots defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. and edge rusher Josh Uche.
During a second-and-25 play from the New England 46-yard line, Moses, 33, was brought down by Uche for a sack, leading to him limping off the field and eventually being escorted to the locker room for further evaluation. Despite the setback, the Jets' head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that although Moses would be sidelined for a couple of games, he would not require a stint on injured reserve.
"Morgan Moses will miss a couple of games due to a knee injury he suffered during the Week 3 win over New England," Saleh stated. "While he'll miss time, Moses won't be out long enough to put him on injured reserve."
Moses was a key offseason acquisition for the Jets, arriving from the Baltimore Ravens in a trade that saw the Jets part with their fourth and sixth-round picks. Additionally, the Jets received a fourth-round pick from the Ravens as part of the deal. Moses quickly became an integral part of the Jets' offensive line, starting at right tackle for the first three games of the regular season.
With Moses sidelined, the Jets will turn to rookie Olu Fashanu to fill the void at right tackle. Fashanu, selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will temporarily take over duties on the right side of the line. Meanwhile, veteran Tyron Smith will continue to anchor the left tackle position.
The injury incident couldn't have come at a more pivotal time for the Jets, who look to maintain momentum following their win over New England. Moses' absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the coaching staff is optimistic about Fashanu's potential to step up to the challenge.
The team's depth at the tackle position will be put to the test in the coming weeks, but the Jets are no strangers to adversity. The offensive line, led by Smith and now Fashanu, will need to step up to protect quarterback Zach Wilson, who has been showing promising development in his second season.
Moses’ injury and the subsequent reshuffling of the line highlight the physical toll of the NFL season. The Jets have been working diligently on their depth and team cohesion, and incidents like these will test those efforts. Saleh and his coaching staff remain focused and are preparing the team to adapt and overcome the challenges ahead.
The Jets' schedule in the upcoming weeks includes matches that will be crucial in determining their playoff aspirations. The experience of Smith combined with the youthful vigor of Fashanu could provide a balanced offensive front capable of sustaining the offensive drives necessary for success.
While fans will miss seeing Moses on the field in the short term, the team expects his return to be smooth once he recovers. His leadership and experience have been invaluable, and his return will be eagerly anticipated as the Jets push forward in the season.
Overall, this injury hiccup, though unfortunate, will serve as an opportunity for the Jets to showcase their depth and resilience. The focus now shifts to their upcoming games and how well the reconfigured line can support their offensive strategies. As the team rallies behind their new lineup, the hope is that they continue to build on the foundation laid in the opening weeks of the season.