Three Jets’ returnees injured while fighting to retain roster spots vs. Giants | Sporting News

Three New York Jets roster hopefuls all left the preseason finale due to first-half injuries and did not return during the 10-6 victory over the New York Giants on August 24.

Offensive guard Xavier Newman, tight end Kenny Yeboah and offensive tackle Max Mitchell all took the field with the Jets’ starting offense on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium and got nicked up before halftime. Newman has a shoulder issue. Yeboah was nursing a groin problem. Mitchell also sustained a shoulder injury. None of the problems appear to be long term.

Newman went down on a 3rd-and-10 pass play from the Giants’ 20-yard line fewer than five minutes into the first quarter. Initially signed by the Jets as a Practice Squad player last October. Newman, who was forced into action as an emergency center in 2023, started at left guard in the preseason finale.

“Xavier could have come back in,” said head coach Robert Saleh after the exhibition contest.

As for Mitchell, the 2022 fourth-round draft pick was battling for a backup tackle spot and falling down the depth chart in 2023.

“Max, I’m not quite sure where he’s at. Talked to him at halftime, he felt fine,” said Saleh.

Yeboah, a reserve tight end who has seen action in 24 games over the last three seasons with the Jets, is apparently in the highly-competitive mix for the TE3 role.

“We’ll get a scan on him tomorrow and see where he’s at, but it doesn’t sound like it’s anything long term,” said Saleh.

The Jets have to make roster decisions on Newman, Mitchell and Yeboah prior to the cutdown deadline on Tuesday, August 27 at 4 p.m. ET. 

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