Jets' Two Starting Guards Trending in Different Directions Healthwise

Saleh says Tippmann and Tomlinson's availability hinges on practice results

The New York Jets may welcome one starting offensive guard back to the lineup while losing the other for their Monday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Right guard Joe Tippman, who has been out since injuring his quad in the Week 6 win over Philadelphia, has shown progress this week while left guard Laken Tomlinson appears to be struggling with a hamstring injury.

"Today's a padded practice, so we'll know more about Joe Tippmann [afterward]. We'll get a good test today, same thing," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh prior to Friday's practice. "Him [Tomlinson] and Tipp, pretty much the same, just to see where they're at in regard to their ability to play on Monday."

On Friday evening, both players were listed as limited participants on the official injury report. There will be one more report due out Saturday. 

After not participating last week, Tippmann returned to practice in a limited role on Thursday. He was spotted working through position drills on Friday during the media-viewing portion of the session in Florham Park.

"Yesterday was good. It wasn't nearly as an intense practice as what today will be. You know me, I'm always optimistic. We'll see how he [Tippmann] does. We're hopeful," said Saleh. 

Tomlinson, who landed on the injury report for the first time Thursday as a limited participant, was seen working off to the side while his teammates engaged in position drills.

Tomlinson's current status is extremely uncharacteristic of the battle-tested veteran. He has made 24 consecutive starts since signing with the Jets and has not missed a game in any of the past five-plus seasons. According to Saleh. the hamstring issue traces back to the Week 8 win against the New York Giants.

"It [his injury] was in the game," said Saleh on Friday.

Should Tomlinson and/or Tippmann be unable to play against the Chargers on November 6, the Jets will likely turn to either Practice Squad member Xavier Newman or recent roster addition Chris Glaser to fill the holes at guard and center.

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Newman was a gameday elevation in Week 8 and wound up playing two different positions (RG, C) in relief of injured utility man Wes Schweitzer and starting center Connor McGovern. Glaser, a guard with snapping ability, was plucked off the Cowboys' Practice Squad this week but spent the preseason with the Jets.

With McGovern and Schweitzer landing on Injured Reserve and leaving the Jets with only one experienced center on the 53-man roster, Tippmann's availability is especially important for Monday. Tippmann, a second-round rookie, spent his last two collegiate seasons as Wisconsin's starting center. 

The Jets signed street free agent Rodger Saffold to a P-Squad deal, but the 35-year-old likely requires a short acclimation period before becoming an option at guard. Saffold made 16 starts as the Buffalo Bills' left guard in 2022.

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