The NY Jets offensive line is finally getting healthier ahead of Week 9

The NY Jets offensive line is in shambles for yet another season. The fact that the Jets had to play more than an entire half of a real game with a "center" who had only been on the team for three weeks is breathtaking.

Already down Joe Tippmann, the Jets started with Connor McGovern and then transitioned to Wes Schweitzer before having no choice but to roll with their ‘practice squad body’ Xavier Newman snapping the ball to Zach Wilson in his NFL debut.

As one could imagine, the results weren’t great. He caused a fumble on his first snap and almost caused a safety with his second snap. He allowed a team-high five pressures and one sack but, of course, had the will and determination necessary to make a heads-up play with the last-second spike at the end of regulation.

As commendable as his effort was, I think every Jets coach, player, and fan is hoping that Tippmann can return and assume the center position this Monday night on prime time. Given that he doesn't have an injury designation heading into the game, that's expected to be the case.

Joe Tippmann isn't the only NY Jets offensive lineman returning soon

But hey, that’s just the Tipp of the iceberg (get it?), because veteran left tackle Duane Brown has resumed practicing as well. Current left tackle Mekhi Becton has already said he doesn’t care what side he’s on, he just wants to play football, so that gives the coaching staff the flexibility needed to put the best five out there.

On Monday Night Football, we should see the return of Tippmann, as well as Laken Tomlinson, who missed time in practice this week due to a hamstring injury.

A Becton-Tomlinson-Tippmann-Turner-Mitchell combination won’t win any awards, but it should hold its own against a Chargers defensive line that doesn’t have a lot going on in the middle.

Perhaps offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett exploits this to run Breece Hall up the gut? Can the interior of this combination create big enough holes?

We know Hall only needs a sliver of daylight to run it to the house, but with guys like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack moving all over that field, that may be easier said than done.

Health is wealth, my friends. Let’s hope Tippmann can relieve Newman from the stress of having to do this all over again in front of the entire country on Monday night. If so, this could work wonders toward making sure the offense has a chance to keep up in case of a shootout