Prepping for Patriots, Jets Make Two O-line Moves on Saturday
The New York Jets made a flurry of personnel moves on the eve of their Week 3 home game against the divisional rival New England Patriots.
The activity involves placing a starter on the shelf, signing a Practice Squad linebacker to the active roster, bringing a PS running back back into the fold and designating a PS offensive lineman as a gameday elevation.
The flurry began with sending starting left tackle Duane Brown to Injured Reserve. After playing every offensive snap in the season's first two games, the 38-year-old bookend saw a hip problem pop up early last week. The injury kept Brown out of practice all week, and he went for further evaluation on Friday.
Jets' head coach Robert Saleh was holding out hope that Brown would be able to suit up on Sunday against the Patriots, but the grizzled veteran was downgraded to OUT on Saturday afternoon. The team subsequently sent Brown to IR, meaning he will be unavailable for at least the next four weeks. Veteran Billy Turner and second-year pro Max Mitchell are the backup tackles on the active roster. The latter has been a gameday inactive in Weeks 1 and 2.
Filling Brown's 53-man roster spot, Gang Green signed linebacker Sam Eguaveon off the Practice Squad. The former Miami Dolphin had been a gameday elevation each of the last two weeks. Eguaveon has logged 41 snaps (36 on special teams) over the first two games.
With a PS vacancy opening up, the Jets reunited with running back Xazavian Valladay. The team released the rookie on Thursday to make room for offensive tackle Chris Glaser, who was designated as a gameday elevation for the battle against Bill Belichick and Co.
One move the Jets did not make was elevating kicker Austin Seibert from the Practice Squad, meaning veteran Greg Zuerlein could be ready to return after missing the Dallas game due to a groin injury. Seibert, who was up last week, made his lone field goal attempt in place of Zuerlein during the 30-10 setback.
The Jets and the Patriots will square off at 1:00 pm ET on September 24 at MetLife Stadium. The game will air live on CBS.
Jets' Transactions Log
• Signed LB Sam Eguaveon to active roster.
• Placed OL Duane Brown on IR.
• Elevated OL Chris Glaser from PS.
• Signed RB Xazavian Valladay to PS.
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