The New York Jets are entering a must-win game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11.
However, they will be without All-Pro Tyron Smith because of a neck injury, meaning rookie Olu Fashanu will make his first NFL start at left tackle.
Fashanu recently spoke about playing the prominent position at the NFL level.
“I try not to make anything bigger than it actually is, but I’m not going to be ignorant. Obviously, that’s the position I played in college and high school, so it’s definitely nice to go out and get the start and be with all the guys,” Fashanu said, via Dennis Waszak Jr. of The Associated Press.
#Jets‘ Olu Fashanu on starting at LT for Tyron Smith:
“I try to not make anything bigger than it actually is, but I’m not going to be ignorant. Obviously, that’s the position I played in college & HS, so it’s definitely nice to go out & get the start & be with all the guys.”
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) November 15, 2024
Fashanu was the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Penn State.
The All-American was considered one of the best offensive linemen in the country and is now going to get another chance to prove the Jets were right to select him as highly as they did.
Against a Colts defense that is ranked 29th in total defense, Fashanu will have a great opportunity to succeed in protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The four-time NFL MVP has had to deal with a lot of pressure from opposing defenses this season as has taken too many hits.
Fashanu, who has started at right tackle this season, needs to prove he is someone Rodgers can count on up front.
A critical AFC game is the perfect opportunity for the 21-year-old lineman to prove exactly that to his 40-year-old quarterback.
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