Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets

In the fragile ecosystem of an NFL offensive line, a single injury can disrupt cohesion, derail a running game, and put a quarterback’s safety at risk—and for the New York Jets, that reality struck this week with news of a season-ending ankle injury to starting right tackle Morgan Moses. The 11-year veteran, who signed a three-year deal with the Jets in 2023, had been a pillar of consistency this season, starting all 11 games and allowing just 1 sack while providing critical run-blocking for rookie running back Breece Hall. The injury, suffered during Wednesday’s practice when Moses tangled with defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, comes at the worst possible time: the Jets are 5-6 and fighting for a wildcard spot, with upcoming matchups against the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills—teams with formidable pass rushes. Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets isn’t just a story about a sidelined player; it’s about how a team already thin on offensive line depth will adapt to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets begins with the severity of Moses’ injury and its immediate impact on the Jets’ line structure. Initial MRI results confirmed a Grade 3 ankle sprain and a small fracture, ruling Moses out for the remainder of the regular season and potentially the playoffs if the Jets qualify. For offensive line coach John Benton, the loss is a major blow—Moses was one of only two Jets offensive linemen to start every game this season (the other being center Connor McGovern), and his experience was invaluable in guiding younger players like left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. “Morgan is the kind of player you build a line around,” Benton said in a press conference. “He’s reliable, he’s tough, and he knows how to handle elite pass-rushers. Losing him means we have to shuffle pieces, but we have to find a way to keep this unit moving forward.” The injury also exposes the Jets’ lack of depth at tackle: backup George Fant, who started 14 games at left tackle in 2022, is currently dealing with a knee injury, leaving the team with few proven options to step in.

A critical component of Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets is the Jets’ plan to replace Moses, which involves a combination of internal promotions and position shifts. On Thursday, head coach Robert Saleh announced that the team will elevate practice squad tackle Brandon Shell to the active roster and shift Fant to right tackle once he returns from his knee injury (expected to be Week 13 against Atlanta). Until Fant is healthy, the Jets will start Shell at right tackle, with rookie fourth-round pick Carter Warren serving as the backup. Shell, a 31-year-old veteran with 63 career starts (including 17 with the Jets from 2016–2018), has spent most of this season on the practice squad but impressed coaches in limited reps during training camp. “Brandon knows our system, he knows this organization, and he’s ready to step up,” Saleh said. “We wouldn’t promote him if we didn’t trust him to protect Zach [Wilson] and open lanes for Breece. He’s been waiting for this opportunity, and now it’s his time to deliver.” The Jets are also considering using Vera-Tucker at tackle in emergency situations, though he has primarily played guard since joining the team in 2021.

Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets is particularly challenging for the New York Jets’ offensive strategy, which will need to adapt to protect Wilson and maintain a balanced attack. With Shell likely starting at right tackle, the Jets plan to reduce his workload early by calling more quick passes (slants, outs, and screen passes) to get the ball out of Wilson’s hands faster, minimizing the time Shell has to block elite pass-rushers. They’ll also rely more on two-tight end sets, using Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert to help block on the right side—especially against teams like the Bills, who feature Pro Bowl edge rusher Von Miller. “We have to play to our strengths and limit Brandon’s exposure to tough matchups,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett explained. “That means using play-action to slow down pass rushes, running more zone plays to the left side (where Vera-Tucker and left tackle Duane Brown are more experienced), and making sure Zach is comfortable with his first read.” For the New York Jets, the adjustments aren’t just about survival—they’re about keeping the offense dynamic enough to score points against tough defenses. Wilson, who has improved dramatically this season, acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic: “The line has my back, and I have theirs. We’ll adjust, we’ll practice hard, and we’ll find a way to win.”

Another key angle of Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets is the impact on the Jets’ running game, which has been a bright spot this season. Hall has rushed for 720 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry—numbers that have been boosted by Moses’ run-blocking on the right side. With Shell in the lineup, the Jets expect to shift more running plays to the left, where Brown and Vera-Tucker have formed a strong tandem. They’ll also use more power runs up the middle, relying on McGovern and right guard Laken Tomlinson to open holes for Hall and backup Ty Johnson. “Our running game is the engine of our offense, and we can’t let this injury slow us down,” Saleh said. “We’ll adjust our run calls to play to the strengths of our new line configuration, and we’ll count on breece and Ty to make plays when they get the ball.” The Jets are also considering signing a free agent tackle to add depth, though the pool of available players is limited this late in the season. For the New York Jets, the running game will be more important than ever—controlling the clock and keeping the defense off the field will help ease the pressure on the reshuffled offensive line.

Finally, Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets wraps up with the mental and emotional challenge this injury presents for the Jets, and how the team is leaning on its culture of resilience. The Jets have faced adversity before this season—from early-season losses to injuries to key players like Sauce Gardner—and each time, they’ve found a way to bounce back. Saleh has emphasized that mindset in team meetings this week, reminding players that championships are won by teams that can overcome setbacks. “Injuries are part of the NFL, but how you respond defines you,” Saleh said. “This team has heart, this team has grit, and this team isn’t going to let one injury derail our playoff push.” The players have echoed that sentiment: Brown, a 16-year veteran, has taken Shell under his wing, spending extra time with him after practice to review film and refine his technique. Hall has also spoken up, noting that the running backs will need to help the line by making quicker cuts and avoiding negative plays. Offensive Line Hit with New Injury for the New York Jets ultimately reveals this truth: in the NFL, success isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about how you face it. For the New York Jets, the loss of Moses is a major setback, but it’s also an opportunity to show the league that they’re a team capable of overcoming anything to reach the playoffs.