Jets OT Brown activated off IR, added to roster

Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterNov 23, 2023, 01:02 PM ET
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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — On the final day of his 21-day practice window, New York Jets left tackle Duane Brown was activated from injured reserve Thursday and added to the 53-man roster.

By rule, Brown, 38, would have remained on IR for the remainder of the season if the Jets hadn’t made the move. It’s unclear what role, if any, he will have against the Miami Dolphins in the NFL’s first Black Friday game.

The Jets have major issues on the offensive line, as they have started a league-high 11 players in 10 games. Mekhi Becton started the past eight at left tackle, replacing Brown, but Becton sprained an ankle, putting his status up in the air. Rookie Carter Warren finished last week’s game at left tackle.

Becton is listed as questionable after not practicing Thursday — a downgrade after limited practice on Wednesday. Brown also is questionable, though he has been listed as a full participant for the last three weeks.

Brown started the first two games and was involved in the season’s most infamous play — the sack that resulted in Aaron Rodgers‘ torn Achilles in the opener.

In Week 3, Brown went on IR with what was listed as a hip injury. Brown, who has referred to it as a groin injury, told some teammates earlier in the week that he didn’t think he’d be ready to play against the Dolphins, a source said.

Coach Robert Saleh said Monday the plan was to “lean on him a little bit this week to see where he is at. Not lean on him from a pressure standpoint, but just try to get him some physical contact to see how he feels.”

The five-time Pro Bowl selection is eager to redeem himself after a poor performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 — his most recent game.

“I mean, it wasn’t one of my better games, but I always keep things in perspective as far as production,” Brown told ESPN last week. “I didn’t put my best film out, but I wasn’t nearly 100 percent, you know what I mean? I’d love to get out there and put out a better version of myself.”

He admittedly returned too soon after having off-season surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. He suffered the injury in the 2022 preseason, shortly after signing a two-year, $20 million contract with the Jets, but played through the pain after spending the first four games on IR.

The Jets have been juggling their offensive line since the beginning of the season. On Thursday, they signed Xavier Newman from the practice squad; he likely will start at right guard. They released Chris Glaser, who started at right guard last week. They have used six different starters at the position.

The reshuffled line will be tasked with protecting quarterback Tim Boyle, who makes his Jets’ starting debut. He will replace Zach Wilson, who was benched after nine starts following Rodgers’ injury.