New York Jets fear Mehki Becton may miss entire 2022 season with ‘different’ injury to the same knee

The New York Jets and offensive tackle Mehki Becton were hoping for a massive comeback season after he missed all but one game of the 2021-2022 NFL season with a knee injury.

It turns out both sides may have to wait another year for the 2020 first round pick to build on the promising form he once showed during his rookie season. On Monday Becton suffered a ‘different’ injury to the same right knee that required surgery last season.

New York initially tried to downplay the severity of the injury at the time, however that optimism had faded by the end of the night. 

Becton takes part in drills during Jets training camp practice in East Rutherford, New Jersey

The Jets initially took Becton 11th overall hoping the massive lineman would cornerstone of the offensive line but following the reports surrounding Monday’s injury it seems he is more so a corner stone of the trainers room.

Becton originally injured his right knee in last year’s season opener after his leg was rolled up by a falling teammate. Initial reports said he would only miss four-to-six weeks, but he did not return at all.

Aside from only starting 14 of 33 games to this point, Becton’s weight became a major storyline during his rehab from knee surgery as he at one point tipped the scale at a whooping 400 pounds.

The organization was again frustrated in June when Becton showed up to offseason workouts in June overweight, but he worked himself down to an acceptable number that pleased coaches by the start of training camp.

A slender looking Becton arrives to Jets facility on first day of training camp 

‘As of now, it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but – knock on wood – hopefully that stays the case,’ Jets head coach Robert Saleh said of the latest injury.

Based on conversations with doctors at the time Saleh had told reporters Becton’s knee was ‘stable’, and he would undergo an MRI only as a precaution. Though the MRI results have not yet been revealed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the injury was to Becton’s patella.

‘We’ll see if he does take time off. ‘Obviously, you’re concerned for everyone. You just don’t want to get into a deficit of conditioning. He’s a big man.’ Saleh said.

‘He’s been working his tail off and he’s done everything he’s been asked to do. Hopefully, he checks out good like we think he’s going to and he can continue on this track. I think he’s going to be fine.’

Head coach Robert Saleh initially down played the severity of Becton’s injury before MRI results ruined the feelings of optimism

Earlier during the day Becton could be see limping off to the side after he appeared to tweak the knee during an offensive line drill. Only a few minutes later during only the second play of 11-on-11 drills Becton was absolutely blown up by defensive end John Franklin-Meyers.

Becton immediately fell to the ground clutching his knee in obvious signs of pain before removing his equipment and limping to the locker room. Becton had began wearing a brace on the surgically repaired knee last Friday, a sign that he was feeling some sort discomfort.

It was believed however that the discomfort was nothing more than normal training camp soreness and not an indication of a larger problem. 

In leu of both Becton’s injury as well as a recent injury to offensive tackle Connor McDermott, the Jets signed offensive lineman Caleb Beneoch. 

Beneoch as  has appeared in 36 games with 23 starts over six years and most recently played with the New Orleans Saints.

The Jets also hosted veteran offensive tackle Duane Brown on a visit Saturday during the teams annual Green and White Scrimmage.