Jets' Rookie Left Tackle Highlights Eighth Different Starting Line Combination

Fourth-round draft pick makes first NFL start in place of injured Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton's unavailability forced the New York Jets to use an eighth different starting offensive line combination this season.

With Becton missing his first start due to injury, and Duane Brown apparently not game-ready, rookie Carter Warren started for the Jets at left tackle against the Miami Dolphins in the first-ever NFL Black Friday Game. 

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Jets took the field with the fourth-round rookie at left tackle, left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Joe Tippmann, right guard Xavier Newman and right tackle Max Mitchell. While Warren is the third different starting left tackle deployed by Gang Green in 11 games this year, Mitchell is one of four different right tackles.

Led by newly-minted starting quarterback Tim Boyle, the Jets' offense recorded one first down before stalling out of the game's opening possession.

Tomlinson is the lone veteran on the inexperienced front five. The reliable interior lineman has not missed a start since the 2017 with San Francisco.

Warren, who made his NFL debut last week against Buffalo, is making his first career start on Friday, November 24. 

"Carter, I thought was a pleasant surprise going back and watching it. Tremendous footwork, great patience," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Warren's unplanned appearance against the Bills. "He got his opportunity, and he did really well. If he does have to go this week, it will be another opportunity for him."

Warren is one of two rookie starters in the lineup. Tippmann, a second-round draft pick, is making his third straight start at center. 

Newman, who was signed off the Practice Squad onto the active roster yesterday, is a second-year pro out of Baylor with seven career appearances. 

Mitchell, a 2022 fourth-round selection, was limited to six appearances as a rookie due to injury. Friday's matinee marks his sixth start of the season for the Jets' injury-ravaged offensive line. 

Jets' Various Starting O-line Combos

WEEK 1
LT Duane Brown
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Connor McGovern
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker
RT Mekhi Becton

WEEK 3
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Connor McGovern
RG Joe Tippmann
RT Alijah Vera-Tucker

WEEK 6
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Connor McGovern
RG Joe Tippmann
RT Max Mitchell

WEEK 8
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Connor McGovern
RG Wes Schweitzer
RT Max Mitchell

WEEK 9
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Joe Tippmann
RG Max Mitchell
RT Billy Turner

WEEK 10
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Joe Tippmann
RG Xavier Newman
RT Max Mitchell

WEEK 11 
LT Mekhi Becton
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Joe Tippmann
RG Chris Glaser
RT Max Mitchell 

WEEK 12 
LT Carter Warren 
LG Laken Tomlinson 
C Joe Tippmann 
RG Xavier Newman 
RT Max Mitchell 

Gameday Inactives: Becton Unavailable to Face Dolphins, Jets Bench Lazard

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