It's officially Olu Fashanu season for the New York Jets.
After selecting Fashanu at No. 11 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets will have to deploy the rookie offensive tackle as a starter only four weeks into the regular season.
New York lost veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to a knee injury on the final play of the third quarter in the Thursday Night Football victory over the New England Patriots, and confirmed reports project the 33-year-old will miss up to one month's worth of games.
It's been determined that Moses, who had played 100 percent of offensive snaps prior to his exit, suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise. On Saturday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Moses will miss "2-4 weeks" and called it a "sigh of relief for the key veteran."
Moses, who played all 17 games for the Jets in 2021, spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who traded him back to New York this past offseason. As the Jets overhauled their starting offensive line, they tabbed Moses as one of three replacements. He has seamlessly slid into the right tackle spot while earning clout as a team leader.
Meanwhile, Fashanu, who projects as the team's long-term starting left tackle, began his rookie season as an understudy swing tackle. Now, the Jets need to collect on the insurance policy to get them through the next month.
"It was kind of a luxury when Mo got hurt. You're sending out a first-round pick," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh one day after the 24-3 victory.
Against New England, Fashanu totaled 14 offensive snaps, including one as an extra blocker in goal line formation on Breece Hall's second-quarter touchdown plunge. He also saw five special teams reps.
"He did a good job. He played the right side and jumped in there," said Saleh.
The Jets are next in action against the Denver Broncos at home on September 29 with Fashanu in line to make his first career start at MetLife Stadium.
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