No team has suffered through more injuries along the offensive line than the New York Jets have over the last few seasons.
After a relatively positive start to the season for the group, the Jets appear to be back to square one with the health of the entire group - especially after Thursday's 21-13 win over the Houston Texans.
During the win, New York lost starting left guard John Simpson to an injury, and backup right guard Jake Hanson as well. Hanson was backing up Xavier Newman, who in turn was backing up starter Alijah Vera-Tucker.
With options dwindling, the Jets turned to Max Mitchell and first-round rookie tackle Olu Fashanu to play both guard positions. While Mitchell had some experience with guard, the 11th overall pick in Fashanu had never played the position before.
Which makes the team's ability to beat a strong Texans defense even more impressive.
"I've got to give him (Fashanu) and Max a lot of credit," Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "Max played a ton of tackle for us last year. I believe he played, if my memory serves, maybe a little bit of right guard. I don't know if he ever played any left guard. So, for him to step in like that was fantastic."
Rodgers was sacked twice in the win but was relatively kept clean during the entire game. With all the injuries the team has suffered recently along the line, it seems almost remarkable that the Jets were even able to run a functioning offense in the second half.
Even so, the play of Fashanu and the coaching that prepared the entire group clearly has been commended by the team.
"Very, very little, so for him to step in, especially a rookie, and play a position he is not very familiar with was exceptional," interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. "Even the holding call, I would like to take a second look at that one.
"It's a testament to Keith and it's a testament to the entire offensive line, the depth that we have. The fact that guys stepped in and played as well as they did is really cool."
It's unlikely the Mitchell and Fashanu duo at guard will be successful for long periods this season for the Jets.
While it doesn't take away from them being unsung heroes of the team's season-saving win, it does reinforce the reality that the Jets need to address the line as soon as possible.
