Duane Brown's Season to End on IR, Jets' Rookie TE Takes His Roster Spot

Left tackle plays only five games during injury-marred campaign in New York

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Dec 27, 2023 6:26 PM EST

In this story:

Duane Brown's second season as a New York Jet did not go according to plan, and it will end in disappointing fashion.

On Wednesday, the Jets placed the veteran offensive tackle on Injured Reserve for the second time this year. Filling the roster spot vacated by Brown, New York signed seventh-round rookie tight end Zack Kuntz off the Practice Squad.

With tight end Jeremy Ruckert still in concussion protocol, and unavailable for Thursday Night Football, Kuntz will almost definitely see the first offensive snaps of his NFL career when the Jets visit the Cleveland Browns on December 28. The 6-foot-8 physical specimen, who wowed evaluators during pre-draft combine testing, has been on the Jets' Practice Squad since the start of the regular season. New York took a flier on the former Penn Stater with the No. 220 overall selection at the 2023 NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Brown totaled only 111 offensive snaps this fall. With the process of rehabilitating his surgically repaired rotator cuff taking longer than some expected, Brown missed training camp but returned in time to take the field in Week 1. After starting the first two games at left tackle, the grizzled veteran was forced to deal with a hip injury that landed him on IR.

The Jets activated Brown off IR on November 24, but the veteran could not return to form. He logged 20 total snaps (10 OFF, 10 ST) over three appearances. Of late, Brown has been bothered by a back injury.

"Duane Brown, we are putting him through some work today, you will see did not participate," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh prior to Tuesday's practice in Florham Park.

Although Saleh was not available to report on what went down during the trial session (no media availability on the day before a game), the Jets apparently opted to shut Brown down for the season's final two games.

The battle-tested bookend can't have much tread left on the tires after 218 NFL starts.

On multiple occasions, Saleh has lauded Brown for playing through the serious shoulder injury for much of the 2022 season.

Even with their appreciation of the veteran's commitment, it's difficult to see the Jets bringing Brown back for 2024. The left tackle has reportedly earned $20 million over his two years with Gang Green.