NY Jets news: Mecole Hardman injury, Mekhi Becton starting, Xavier Gipson roster spot

The NY Jets capped off their 2023 preseason with a 32-24 victory over the New York Giants on Saturday. For the most part, everything went right for the Jets. The team's starters looked good, and the Jets escaped without any major injuries.

They didn't come out of the game unscathed, though. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman exited the game in the second quarter after dropping a pass from Zach Wilson on 3rd-and-1. He immediately went to the locker room and did not return.

The good news is that Hardman, who apparently suffered a finger injury, is "fine," according to head coach Robert Saleh. Saleh didn't indicate if Hardman would miss any practice time, but it seems as if his status for Week 1 is not in question.

That's good news for the Jets, who were missing Allen Lazard (shoulder) on Saturday. They could ill-afford another wide receiver injury, especially after Corey Davis' surprise retirement last week.

Other NY Jets news:

Mekhi Becton is the starting right tackle

Mekhi Becton received his first opportunity to start this preseason on Saturday when he worked with the first-team offense against the Giants. It was a trial game for Becton, who had continued to impress and climb the depth chart this summer.

Evidently, Becton passed the test.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters after the game that Becton had earned the starting right tackle job. It was the culmination of an offseason of hard work and rehabilitation for the former first-round pick.

When the Jets take the field against the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Sep. 11, it will mark the first time that Becton has ever played a home game in front of Jets fans in the NFL. His road to redemption continues.

Xavier Gipson earns high praise

Jets undrafted rookie wide receiver Xavier Gipson entered Saturday's game needing to make a statement as he looked to secure a roster spot. He did exactly that.

Gipson finished the game as the Jets' leading receiver, hauling in seven catches for 79 yards. It was the most productive performance by a Jets receiver this summer, and it came at a perfect time.

Gipson even received a shoutout from Aaron Rodgers after the game, as the Jets' QB1 told reporters that his younger teammate took a "big step forward" in Saturday's game.

The Jets have some very interesting decisions to make at the wide receiver position over the coming days, but Gipson did his best to make a strong final impression this weekend. Even Rodgers agrees.