It's not clear when Olu Fashanu's next snap at left tackle will occur, but the Jets are confident it will be the first of many to come.
Fashanu's remainder of his rookie season is in doubt after he left the postgame locker room on crutches on Sunday to meet his family.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich declined to reveal further about Fashanu's injury on Monday while awaiting scans by the team's medical staff, but the Jets did not rush Fashanu to play in the Final 2. It would be foolish to risk long-term complications. A game of a lost season.
“I absolutely believe Orr is the left tackle for the New York Jets for a long time,” Ulbrich said. “He's proven that. It's amazing for a rookie to come in and play as well as he has. Not just at the left tackle spot, which you don't see very often. He's next. demonstrated the ability to [be] I'm looking forward to his future as he is a versatile reverse player in all aspects including the guard spot and right tackle spot. ”
Serious injuries usually elicit a somber reaction in NFL locker rooms, but Fashanu had his usual big smile on his face even as he struggled to move around. A team spokesperson prohibited Fashanu from conducting postgame interviews.
“He's a competitive guy, so I know he's going to be OK,” right tackle Morgan Moses said. “Keep him well. He came here and did what he had to do. I have a lot of respect for that guy.”
After starting the season in a utility role on the offensive line, Fashanu took over his natural left tackle position in place of injured future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith on November 10 against the Cardinals. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 12 pressures and one sack on 230 pass-blocking snaps.
“People like to say this too often, but he's a man of the decade,” Ulbrich said. “He's got it all. He's got the mentality. [and] Emotional constructs and physical tools. ”
Fashanu's development in the second half of the season is key for the Jets, especially considering Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Last offseason, I wondered if the Jets should draft an offensive tackle to build their long-term structure (although he might not play right behind Smith and Moses) or a first-round pick to pass Aaron Rodgers. There was a big debate about whether catchers should be targeted.
Bowers was supposed to be the Jets' replacement, as receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabors and Roma Odunze all left the game by the time the game was over. Fashanu was the third offensive tackle taken at No. 11 (behind Joe Alt of the Chargers and JC Latham of the Titans). He was one pick over Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and two over Bowers.
The Jets' general manager and head coaching vacancies are filled with a young offensive line that includes Fashanu (22), left guard Ariya Berra-Tucker (25) and center Joe Tippman (23). Therefore, it should be more attractive to candidates. ). Right guard John Simpson (27) is also under contract.
The Jets replaced Fashanu, who was sent off the field in the fourth quarter, with Max Mitchell, who has started 12 career games, at left tackle. Mitchell could finish the season at left tackle, compete at right tackle, or strengthen his case to be a swing tackle on the 2025 roster.
Mitchell called Fashanu a “sponge” for soaking up knowledge from veterans.
“It's really disappointing to see people go down,” Mitchell said. “He's been great all year. I'm sure he'll come back strong. There's a smile on his face already. He's still young and he's made of rubber.”
