Jets’ Mekhi Becton ‘probably’ finished for season after knee injury, coach Robert Saleh says
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New York Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton will “more than likely” miss the entire 2022 season after suffering a serious knee injury during training camp on Monday, head coach Robert Saleh revealed on Tuesday. .
Saleh said the 2020 first-round pick will seek a second opinion on Wednesday to assess the injury to his right knee. According to ESPN, he suffered a broken kneecap.
Mekhi Becton of the New York Jets is helped off the field after being injured during the Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Mike Comer/Getty Images)
“It still doesn’t look good,” Saleh told reporters. “It’s probably the inevitable,” he said, later clarifying that his season was “more than likely” over.
JETS OFFENSIVE TACKLE MEKHI BECTON GOES DOWN AFTER APPEARING TO REINJURY RIGHT KNEE
The 6ft 7in lineman, who would have reached 400lbs last season, was blocking the run at right tackle in the second set of team drills when he fell to the grass and immediately grabbed his knee .
Becton was on the ground for a few moments before trying to get up and needed the coaches help to get off the pitch.
Mekhi Becton suffered a dislocated right kneecap and cartilage damage in last year’s season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
Saleh, anticipating the media and fan storm that would soon follow, defended Becton and his work ethic.
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“You worry about all of them. They are young men and I think sometimes with social networks in this world, we dehumanize these athletes – in the worst way imaginable. Mekhi walked into that building and he took all the hits you can get anyway and he shows up and he works his tail and he squeaks every day,” he said.
“He fights for his family, for himself, for his teammates, for this organization, for this fan base and he does everything, and then everyone wants to drop him like a wet rag. It’s not the case. We love Mekhi. We appreciate everything he has done. His race is not over. His story is not over.”
Becton responded on social media, thanking Saleh for his words.
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“I like you more than you know Coach!! Love you Coach!!! IT’S NOT OVER!!!” he said in a tweet.
New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is helped out during the Panthers game on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Becton entered his first two NFL seasons as a left-sided starter, but suffered a dislocated right kneecap and cartilage damage in the opener last year at Carolina. He missed the rest of the season and was replaced by George Fant, who slipped from the right tackle and played well in place of Becton.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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