Duane Brown injury update: NY Jets LT expected to return soon

If the NY Jets offensive line is going to find success in 2023, they're going to need a healthy Duane Brown to contribute this year. The team hopes Brown will return to action before long.

Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters last week that Brown is still around two weeks away from returning to practice. The 15-year NFL veteran remains on the PUP list after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this offseason.

Brown played through a torn rotator cuff for the entirety of the 2022 season after sustaining the injury in the summer. While he did have multiple stints on the injured reserve, Brown managed to start 12 games despite playing through a serious injury.

The Jets are hopeful that Brown could return to full health this season and that an offseason of rehab will serve him well. The first step is getting their veteran tackle back on the field, though.

The NY Jets need a healthy Duane Brown in 2023

The Jets signed Brown in August of last year in an attempt to replace the injured Mekhi Becton. Brown held his own in his first season in New York despite being forced to strap his shoulder into a harness on game days as he played through immense pain.

Brown could have opted to retire this offseason. Heck, he could have sat out and retired following his injury last season. Instead, the five-time Pro Bowler is returning for one reason: he wants to win.

The good news is that Brown's return does boost the Jets' chances of winning. The duo of Billy Turner and Max Mitchell have struggled so far this summer, and the coaching staff doesn't appear to consider Becton a serious threat to start.

The Jets need Brown to be healthy and back to his pre-injury form come Week 1. If the team is forced to trot out the duo of Turner and Mitchell, it's hard to imagine this offense reaching its potential.

Brown's health is integral to the success of the offensive line and the Jets' entire offense in 2023. His status will be important to monitor over the coming weeks.