In what feels like 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 land him on injured reserve.
Smith, 33, will be replaced by rookie Olu Fashanu, who was drafted 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 a two-time All Pro with the Dallas Cowboys, hadn’t missed a snap until last week, but he left the game with a neck injury. He underwent an MRI exam and is still “gathering information” on his injury, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Friday.
Ulbrich said Smith potentially could be placed on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. If that happens, it might not be worth it for Smith to return this season, especially if the Jets (3-7) are eliminated from contention.
The Jets took a chance on Smith, signing him to a one-year, $6 million contract despite his pattern of injuries in recent years. It was an incentive-heavy contract, giving Smith a chance to earn up to $20 million, mainly through playing-time bonuses.
Smith hasn’t played up to his previous standard. He has allowed six sacks in 10 games, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Jets started mulling the idea of replacing him at some point. Now that he’s injured, it could be moot.
Fashanu, their future, now has the job of keeping the 40-year-old Rodgers upright.
“It’s definitely a big responsibility, but I try not to think about it like that,” the former Penn State star said. “We’re already in a high-pressure environment, so I’m not trying to put any more pressure on myself.”
Fashanu started two games at right tackle when Morgan Moses was injured, and he was an emergency in-game replacement at right guard — the first time in his life that he played that position. Finally, he gets to start at his 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’s expected to face the Colts. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) was ruled out for the third straight game. He will reevaluated after their bye week, which follows the Indianapolis game.
Anders Carlson will handle the kicking duties 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 erred by not signed Shrader to their active roster. Now they will 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’s a lot of stuff that goes into the roster management that I can’t get into,” Ulbrich said, “but [we have] great confidence in Anders.”
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