Report: Mekhi Becton Needs Knee Surgery, Will Miss 4-6 Weeks

New York Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton needs knee surgery after suffering an injury against the Carolina Panthers. Becton is expected to miss up to six weeks

Max Goodman | Sep 13, 2021

Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

When Mekhi Becton was carted off the field on Sunday afternoon in Carolina, tears in his eyes, there were reasons to believe the left tackle's knee injury could have ended his season.

As a timetable for Becton's return emerged on Monday, it looks like the offensive lineman avoided a worst-case scenario and is expected to return in 2021. That said, he'll still be out for a significant period of time.

Becton is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, needing arthroscopic surgery to clean up damaged cartilage in his knee, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. In a similar report, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added that Becton had a subluxation, MCL sprain, and will need minor surgery.

Rapoport also previously mentioned that Becton suffered a knee cap dislocation on Sunday, needing it to be popped back into place.

The injury came on the same play when rookie Zach Wilson threw his first NFL touchdown pass late in the third quarter.

While Wilson was rolling out to the right, finding Corey Davis in the end zone, Becton was being rolled up underneath guard Greg Van Roten and a Panthers defensive lineman as they landed awkwardly on the tackle from behind. Becton was helped off the field after a visit from the training staff, then carted off to the locker room, visibly distraught from what occurred.

With the former first-rounder out for the foreseeable future, a blow to Becton's development entering his sophomore season, New York will be able to utilize their depth on the offensive line. George Fant started at right tackle over veteran Morgan Moses on Sunday. Now, both of those two linemen will be able to start going forward.

The Jets' offensive line was poised to take a big step forward this season, an integral component of New York's rebuild under general manager Joe Douglas. Considering how often Wilson was pressured and flushed out of the pocket on Sunday—with Becton healthy for nearly three full quarters—it could be a long season for that unit, unless they're able to correct what went wrong on Sunday and fill the void while Becton is on the sidelines.

It's been a long stretch of injuries for Becton recently, as well. The lineman missed time during offseason workouts with a foot injury before sitting out due to a concussion during training camp.

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Published Sep 13, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.