Report: Jets LT Duane Brown being evaluated for shoulder injury

Duane Brown is “being evaluated for a shoulder injury,” reports ESPN’s Rich Cimini. He adds that the five-time Pro Bowler did not practice Wednesday and is absent once again Thursday.

The 37-year-old represented arguably the top free agent option once the news of Becton’s season-ending knee injury broke, and was quickly named as a potential replacement. Not long after visiting New York, Brown ultimately signed a two-year, $22M deal to occupy the left tackle spot.

His absence would be substantial for the Jets. Brown was expected to provide more consistency than the team has had since drafting Becton, as part of the team’s upgraded unit which now features left guard Laken Tomlinson. In addition, the team would have to consider several options to fill the void Brown would leave if he were to be sidelined.

Moving veteran George Fant from right tackle back to the blindside would be a possibility. Fant was initially slated to play on the left side with Becton moving to the right edge, but that plan changed upon Brown’s arrival. Manning the LT spot last season in Becton’s absence, Fant earned a PFF grade of 71.1 – the second highest of his career.

Assuming Fant is the Jets’ short-term option on the left, their choice at the right side would likely come down to Conor McDermott and rookie Max Mitchell. The former just re-signed with the team, which will increase his tenure in the Big Apple to four years. He has had availability troubles of his own in 2022 already though, having missed the preseason due to an ankle injury. The latter, meanwhile, was a fourth-rounder in April’s draft out of Louisiana.

The Jets lost Morgan Moses during free agency and waived Chuma Edoga last week. Without either player available as insurance, Brown’s health will be worth watching closely in the build-up to New York’s season opener.