It’s officially Olu Fashanu’s season for the New York Jets.
After selecting Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets will have to deploy the rookie offensive tackle as a starter just four weeks into the regular season.
New York lost veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to a knee injury on the final play of the third quarter in Thursday Night Football’s win over the New England Patriots, confirming reports that the 33-year-old will miss up to a month of games.
Moses, who had played 100 percent of the offensive snaps before leaving, was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament sprain and a bone bruise. NFL Network Insider reported Saturday Ian Rapoport reported that Moses will miss “2 to 4 weeks” and called it “a sigh of relief for the key veteran.”
Moses, who played in all 17 games for the Jets in 2021, spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who traded him to New York last offseason. As the Jets reshuffled their starting offensive line, they designated Moses as one of three backups. He slotted in easily at right tackle while gaining influence as a team leader.
Meanwhile, Fashanu, who is expected to be the team’s long-term starting left tackle, began his rookie season as a backup tackle. Now the Jets must cash in their insurance policy to get through the next month.
“It was a luxury when Mo got hurt. You’re sending a first-round pick,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said a day after the 24-3 victory.
Against New England, Fashanu totaled 14 offensive snaps, including one as an extra blocker in the goal-line formation on Breece Hall’s second-quarter touchdown dive. He also had five special teams repetitions.
“He did a good job. He played on the right side and jumped at the chance,” Saleh said.
The Jets will next be in action against the Denver Broncos at home on September 29, with Fashanu set to make his first career start at MetLife Stadium.
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