Jets center Joe Tippman has a nice bruise around his left eye.
That’s fitting, as Tippmann has been beaten down during this training camp.
Tippmann, a second-year player from Wisconsin, has struggled with shotgun snaps throughout camp, which is why he was the only Jets starter to appear in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Commanders.
Tippman appeared in two series and didn’t have a bad snap in the Jets’ 20-17 victory.
He worked with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
It was a small victory for Tippmann, who said he struggled with the heavier workload this year compared to his rookie training camp, when he wasn’t a starter.
“I feel good right now,” Tippmann said after the game. “There were some growing pains with the increased workload at the beginning of camp compared to last year. We gradually got used to it. I think the guys have gotten a lot better. Now we’re really able to hold them back and get them back to their top level again.” [quarterbacks]”That comes from practicing and working hard with the quarterback and offensive line coaches. I feel like we’re in good shape.”
Tippman had some bad snaps in practice.
During one practice, starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was visibly upset with him.
Later, during an intrasquad scrimmage, Tippmann sent a snap over Rodgers’ head for a 22-yard loss.
Rodgers said he knows he has Tippmann under his control, and the young center said he understands Rodgers has him under his control.
Tippmann did not disclose how he suffered the black eye, saying only that it happened during practice.
Don’t worry, Rodgers didn’t give it to him.
“It’s a great relationship,” Tippman said. “Aaron is always pushing me to be better, and I really appreciate that about him. I know it comes from a place of love. He’s always pushing me to be better because he knows I can be better. Whatever criticism he gives me, I accept it.”
Saturday was the first time Tippmann spoke to the media since the biting issue emerged several weeks ago.
Tippmann began his rookie season as a reserve but became the starting center midway through the season.
While there were no obvious issues with his snaps, he has been one of the biggest talking points of camp this year.
Tippman said he has had to fight not to let these hardships affect him mentally.
“It’s hard,” Tippman said. “It’s hard because it’s the first thing you do. A lot of the time it’s something you do subconsciously. You don’t even think about it. Having to really think about every play is something I had to get over. I couldn’t just pop off the ball because I had to think about the snap. I got over it and I feel like I’m in a good place.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Tippmann’s poor performance wasn’t the main reason he was the only starter in Saturday’s game.
“He’s a sophomore,” Saleh said, “and we’re just trying to get him to work out some issues that he needs to work out. And we have Tyrod there, so we just wanted him to mimic Tyrod’s snap count.”
The offense didn’t have much going for it when Tippmann and Taylor were in the game.
They couldn’t get a first down.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Jets got their breakthrough.
Rookie running back Braylon Allen’s long runs of 24 and 16 yards and rookie running back Isaiah Davis’ 24-yard reception led to a 12-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Peaslee to Jason Brownlee.
The Jets were without their starters on defense.
Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated 11 touchdown drives, completing a 42-yard pass that culminated with Daniels running for 3 yards to score.
The Jets scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to win the game.
Running back Israel Abani-Kanda scored a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17-17.
Backup kicker Austin Seibert booted a 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to give the Jets the win.
