If you were at Jets training camp on Friday you may have noticed a brace on OT Mekhi Becton’s right knee.
Now, with Becton’s history of injuries, it naturally draws questions about his health. But head coach Robert Saleh is downplaying it as the 23-year-old was on the field at Friday’s practice.
"[He] felt a little more comfortable today, give [the brace] a try to see if it gives him more comfort," Saleh told reporters after practice. "The guy is grinding his butt off. The knee is stable but there’s obviously discomfort he’s dealing with, but he’s doing a really nice job grinding through."
Becton’s trainer, Duke Manyweather, told SNY’s Connor Hughes that the brace he played in Friday will be the one he uses. Of course, Jets fans will remember Becton injured his knee in Week 1 last season against the Carolina Panthers. He missed the rest of the season, playing only 48 snaps.
The 11th overall pick in 2020’s draft came into training camp noticeably slimmer after arriving at June's minicamp overweight, and Becton and the Jets are hoping for a season similar to his rookie campaign, where he played in 14 games.
However, this time he’ll play right tackle instead of his natural left after George Fant took over and excelled at the position last season.