In Florham Park, New Jersey, Morgan Moses returned to practice with the New York Jets after recovering from offseason surgery to fix a torn pectoral muscle. Moses, the veteran right tackle, was thrilled to be back on the field with his teammates, marking the first time during training camp that all five projected starting offensive linemen were together.
Head coach Robert Saleh expressed excitement about having Moses back on the field and emphasized that his snaps would be closely monitored early on to ensure his recovery progresses smoothly. Moses, who played most of last season with the injury while with Baltimore, described feeling fantastic and shared his enthusiasm about returning to the field and playing alongside his teammates.
The offensive line, consisting of Joe Tippmann, Tyron Smith, Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, and Moses, is crucial for protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and ensuring the success of the Jets’ offense. Vera-Tucker expressed the group’s commitment to winning and having high expectations for themselves and each other, emphasizing their unity and health as key components for a successful season ahead.
In previous seasons, the Jets faced challenges with instability and frequent changes in their offensive line due to injuries and poor performance. General manager Joe Douglas made it a priority in the offseason to upgrade the O-line, acquiring Moses, Smith, Simpson, and drafting Olu Fashanu to strengthen the team. With Moses back in practice, the Jets’ starting offensive line now has the opportunity to build chemistry with more time before the regular-season opener in September.
Despite the significance of having all five starters healthy, Saleh acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the league and the likelihood of various combinations being utilized throughout the season. The coach also mentioned that cornerback Sauce Gardner was absent from practice due to personal reasons, and running back Tarik Cohen’s unexpected retirement surprised Saleh, who praised Cohen’s abilities but respected his decision to step away from the game.
Overall, the Jets are optimistic about their revamped offensive line and the potential it holds for the upcoming season, aiming to build cohesion and performance consistency among the starting linemen as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
