-
Rich Cimini, ESPN writer
In what appears to be a passing of the torch, New York Jets left tackle Tyron Smith, one of the NFL’s most decorated linemen, was ruled out for Sunday with a neck ailment that could put him on the reserve list. injured.
Smith, 33, will be replaced by rookie Olu Fashanu, who was selected in the first round (11th overall) as Smith’s heir apparent. Fashanu will start against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium, his NFL starting debut at left tackle, where he will protect Aaron Rodgers’ blind side.
Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys, had not missed a snap until last week, but left the game with a neck injury. He underwent an MRI exam and is still “gathering information” about his injury, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Friday.
Ulbrich said Smith could potentially be placed on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. If that happens, it may not be worth Smith’s return this season, especially if the Jets (3-7) are eliminated from contention.
The Jets took a chance on Smith and signed him to a one-year, $6 million contract despite his pattern of injuries in recent years. It was a highly incentive-heavy contract, giving Smith the opportunity to earn up to $20 million, primarily through playing time bonuses.
Smith has not played up to his previous level. He has allowed six sacks in 10 games, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Jets began toying with the idea of replacing him at some point. Now that he’s injured, it could be debatable.
Fashanu, his future, is now tasked with keeping the 40-year-old Rodgers on his feet.
“It’s definitely a big responsibility, but I try not to think about it that way,” the former Penn State star said. “We’re already in a high-pressure environment, so I’m not trying to put more pressure on myself.”
Fashanu started two games at right tackle when Morgan Moses was injured, and was an emergency in-game replacement at right guard, the first time in his life he played that position. Finally, you can start in your natural position.
“There’s a sense of familiarity going back to the position I played in college and high school,” he said.
In other developments, wide receiver Davante Adams returned to practice after missing two days with an illness. He is expected to face the Colts. Linebacker CJ Mosley (neck) was ruled out for the third straight game. He will be reevaluated after his bye week, which follows the Indianapolis game.
Anders Carlson will handle kicking after the Jets unexpectedly lost Spencer Shrader on Thursday to the Kansas City Chiefs, who poached him from their practice squad. The Jets had planned to elevate Shrader for the second straight week, but he opted for Kansas City, where he will replace the injured Harrison Butker.
The Jets may have made a mistake by not signing Shrader to their active roster. They will now have their fourth different kicker in four weeks. Carlson kicked for the Green Bay Packers in 2023 and briefly for the San Francisco 49ers this season.
“There are a lot of things related to campus management that I can’t address,” Ulbrich said, “but [we have] great confidence in Anders.”
