Becton not practicing at Jets OTAs because of foot injury

NEW YORK — New York Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton is dealing with a foot injury that has sidelined him during organized team activities, but it isn’t considered serious.

Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Friday that Becton practiced early in the OTA sessions, but experienced some foot soreness. The 6-foot-7, 363-pound Becton, the Jets’ first-round pick last year, won’t need surgery and Saleh said the team is just being cautious.

“It’s really not that big of a deal, but as you guys all know, he’s a very large human being,” Saleh said. “So we’ve asked him to stay off his feet. So we keep him inside during practice. But he’s been in meetings, he’s been doing workouts, he’s been doing all that stuff. So he’s fine.”

The 22-year-old Becton made a quick impact as a rookie last season, establishing an ability to clear holes for runners and regularly pancaking defenders. He missed two games and most of a third with a shoulder injury. There are also some long-term concerns about a player of Becton’s size and weight, and finding a balance where he’s healthy and able to stay on the field.

“Mekhi is a young man, he’s a very talented young man, he’s a very large young man,” Saleh said. “And he’s learning every day on what it takes to be a professional and how to make that next step. And so we’ve got a lot of faith in him. He’s doing all the right things right now. And we’re excited to get him to training camp and get to work with him.”

Saleh said wide receiver Corey Davis, signed by the Jets to a three-year, $37.5 million contract in March, is “working through a couple of nagging things” that have kept him out of OTA practices. The coach wasn’t concerned about Davis having any long-term issues that could hinder him.

“If it was game week, he’d be rolling,” Saleh said. “He’s one of those veterans that doesn’t really need the reps. We have a lot of young guys on our roster and he’s perfectly fine.”

Second-year wide receiver Denzel Mims was expected to practice Friday after being sidelined the past few days with what Saleh said was a non-COVID illness.

NOTES: WR Jamison Crowder has been one of a handful of players to not participate in OTAs, and Saleh said it is because Crowder and the team are “dealing with some contract stuff.” Crowder is scheduled to make about $10 million this season, and none of it is guaranteed money, so it sounds as though the Jets are perhaps negotiating a pay cut. Despite New York having several other wide receivers on the roster, Saleh believes the contract issue will soon be resolved and said Crowder “absolutely” has a role on the team. … Saleh confirmed the Jets recently worked out former Washington RT Morgan Moses. He called Moses “a fantastic player,” and although a signing didn’t appear imminent, the Jets have interest. “We’re not going to shy away from adding good football players,” Saleh said.


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