NY Jets news: Xavier Newman update, Tyron Smith struggles, Haason Reddick is back

NY Jets offensive lineman Xavier Newman suffered a serious injury in the team's Week 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Newman was carried off the field on a stretcher with an apparent neck injury and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

While the exact nature of the injury is unknown, Newman reportedly has feeling in all of his limbs and was even able to travel back home with the team after the game. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters that all tests came back negative.

Newman collided with Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen and lay motionless on his back for several minutes before being strapped to a spine board. He was inserted into the game in place of Alijah Vera-Tucker, who suffered an ankle injury in the first half.

Jake Hanson came into the game to replace Newman following his injury and figures to be the starter if Newman and Vera-Tucker are unable to play in Week 8. But the more important matter here is Newman's health. We wish him all the best and hope for a speedy recovery.

More NY Jets news:

Tyron Smith is struggling

The Jets had high expectations when they signed future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year contract this offseason. After all, Smith was fresh off a second-team All-Pro season with the Dallas Cowboys and, when healthy, was still one of the best left tackles in the NFL.

Health hasn't been a problem for Smith, who has started all seven games for the Jets in 2024. The issue has been his performance.

Smith allowed a team-high three pressures on Sunday night against the Steelers, half of the Jets' total team pressures allowed. He now ranks sixth among all offensive tackles in pressures allowed. Only two players in the NFL have allowed more sacks than Smith's five.

The Jets selected Olu Fashanu in the first round of this year's NFL Draft for a reason. It might be time to give Fashanu a look if Smith continues to struggle.

Haason Reddick is back with the Jets

It may already be a case of too little, too late, but the 2-5 Jets will officially welcome Haason Reddick to the team this week. Reddick has agreed to a reworked contract with the Jets and returned to the team's facility on Monday for the first time in months.

The two-time Pro Bowler was officially reinstated from the Reserve/Did Not Report list and the Jets have been given a two-week roster exemption that expires on Nov. 1. The Jets can activate him to their 53-man roster at any time.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters on Monday that Reddick still has to take his physical and it's too early to say whether he will play in Week 8, but it sounds like the team is going to do everything possible to get him on the field.

There's a good chance that Reddick will make his long-awaited Jets debut this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Does it matter at this point? Probably not, but at least it's something.