NY Jets: Mekhi Becton 'still a few weeks away' from practicing

NY Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton will have to wait a little longer to take the field again.

Head coach Robert Saleh said on Monday that Becton is still one to three weeks away from returning to the lineup.

Becton has been out of action ever since he suffered a knee injury in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. He played in 74 percent of offensive snaps that game and has been touted as one of the strongholds of the Jets' offensive line this season.

The final prognosis was that Becton would miss 4-8 weeks after undergoing surgery. It seems as though Becton's return has been delayed a little longer than the initial timeframe.

Jets fans would obviously like to see him return sooner rather than later.

NY Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton needs a few more weeks to recover from Week 1 knee injury

But the 2020 first-round pick has been hampered by injuries for most of his professional career, and it's fair to say the Jets might be a little concerned about the long-term health of the former Louisville standout..

In Becton's place, George Fant has been filling in and playing quite well, although New York would obviously like to see Becton back as soon as he's healthy.

It's unfortunate that Becton's return won't coincide with that of Zach Wilson's, since Wilson will need plenty of offensive line protection in this tough stretch of the season.

Given the Jets' historically poor defensive performances as of late, though, protecting the quarterback might be the least of New York's concerns.

Getting Becton back could be a good luck charm of sorts, and in 2021, the Jets need all the luck they can get.