Becton and Dickerson Battling Injuries in Training Camp
Training camp injuries have cast a shadow over the New York Jets’ preparations, with right guard Mekhi Becton leaving practice prematurely due to a right leg injury. This latest development raises concerns as Becton wore a brace on his right knee last season, and he has been seen favoring the same leg in previous sessions.
Despite the setback, Becton downplayed the severity of the issue, stating, "I finished practice," and when asked about his condition, he simply replied, "good." Whether this optimism will translate into readiness for the upcoming season remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are dealing with their own injury woes in the offensive line. Notably, guard Landon Dickerson was seen hobbling through most of the drills. Dickerson's struggles became evident after a tough one-on-one rep with Milton Williams, after which he emerged limping. Despite the injury, Dickerson showed resilience by finishing the session.
Dickerson's determination is noteworthy, given that he had been sidelined by a lacerated toe earlier in training camp. Impressively, he hasn’t missed a single day of open practices since returning from that injury. Even a momentary exit from practice due to a knee injury didn't keep him off the field for long, as he returned later in the same session.
The issues don't end there for the Eagles, with second-team guard Tyler Steen currently out due to an ankle injury. Steen aggravated this injury during the second preseason game, adding to the team's injury woes. In his absence, Brett Toth has stepped up to assume the first-team right guard responsibilities, showcasing the depth and adaptiveness of the squad's roster.
Adding to the list of absentees, several key players missed Day 14 of practice. Notable among them were Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Joseph Ngata, Moro Ojomo, Albert Okwuegbunam, Caden Sterns, John Ross, and Johnny Wilson. This spate of absences has no doubt impacted the fluidity and effectiveness of the team's preparations.
Despite these challenges, the Eagles are set for a full practice schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a walkthrough planned for Monday. These sessions will be crucial for the team as they seek to mitigate the impact of these injuries and build momentum ahead of the season.
The resilience of players like Becton and Dickerson, along with the squad’s ability to adapt to and overcome injuries, will be pivotal as they move forward. The team's depth will be put to the test, and the coming days will reveal much about the squad's readiness and resolve.