Injury Bug Bites Practice: Becton, Dickerson, and Others Affected
The recent practice sessions have unfolded a series of unfortunate events for several key players, most notably for the starting right guard Mekhi Becton. Becton, who was seen wearing a brace on his right knee last season with the New York Jets, prematurely left practice due to a right leg injury. Observers had noted Becton favoring the same leg in previous sessions, which likely exacerbated the situation. Despite the concern, Becton commented after practice, "good" when asked about his condition, adding later, "I finished practice."
However, Becton wasn't the only player battling physical setbacks. Guard Landon Dickerson was seen hobbling through much of the drills. The vigorous one-on-one rep with Milton Williams saw Dickerson emerge limping, a visual confirmation of the struggle he was facing. Yet, in an impressive display of resilience, Dickerson finished the session despite his evident struggles.
Earlier in the training camp, Dickerson had been sidelined by a lacerated toe but has not missed a single day of open practices since making his return. There was a moment when he briefly left practice due to a knee injury but returned later in that same session. This back-and-forth with injuries raises concerns about Dickerson's physical durability as the season approaches.
The second-team guard, Tyler Steen, is currently out with an ankle injury that was aggravated during the second preseason game. This has left a gap in the lineup that Brett Toth has stepped in to fill, assuming first-team right guard responsibilities. Toth’s performance under the circumstances will be scrutinized as he holds the frontline for now.
The team was also missing several key players from Day 14 of practice. The absentees included Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Joseph Ngata, Moro Ojomo, Albert Okwuegbunam, Caden Sterns, John Ross, and Johnny Wilson. Their absence adds another layer of concern for the coaching staff as each day of practice is crucial for team cohesion and readiness.
Looking at the week's schedule, the team has a full slate of practices scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a walkthrough planned for Monday. These upcoming sessions will be critical for injured players to recuperate and for the rest of the team to adapt to the evolving circumstances. The absence of key players and the uncertain status of those nursing injuries cast a shadow on what should have been routine practice days.
As injuries pile up and players persevere through them, the resilience of this team will be tested in the days to come. Fans can only hope that the injuries are minor and that key players like Becton and Dickerson will recover swiftly to help lead the team through a demanding season ahead.