Jets Left Tackle Declares Himself Ready for Week 5

The New York Jets have navigated injury after injury to begin the season a surprising 2-2, and it appears they may finally be through the worst of it. Left tackle Duane Brown announced Friday he intends to play for the first time this year in Week 5.

#Jets LT Duane Brown says “as of now, I’m good to go” to play Sunday vs. Dolphins.

Feels good and looking forward to playing again. pic.twitter.com/e2UU7390bf
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) October 7, 2022

Brown had missed the first four weeks of the season with a shoulder injury sustained during preseason. He has yet to play a snap for the Jets, but he is likely to take over on the blind side for Connor McDermott.

The Jets signed Brown to a two-year, $22 million deal this August in part because of an injury to projected starter Mekhi Becton. Becton, the team's 11th overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, fractured his kneecap in training camp and is expected to miss the entire season.

🏈6'7"
🏈364lbs
🏈5.11 40-yard dash

Mekhi Becton is an absolute unit that can fly!pic.twitter.com/42OAcP9qyA
— PFF (@PFF) February 28, 2020

A five-time Pro Bowler in his 14 seasons with the Seahawks and Texans, Brown is an ideal stopgap as the Jets decide how to proceed with Becton, who will have missed 35 of a possible 50 games by the end of this season. At 37 years old, Brown can still provide quality play so long as he can stay healthy. Last year, he earned a Pro Bowl and a 71.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.