The New York Jets’ Sunday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was stopped for a lengthy injury delay after a scary moment in the third quarter. Here’s the latest on Jets offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson.
Latest Injury Updates on Xavier Newman-Johnson
In the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers threw his second interception of the game to Steelers rookie Beanie Bishop. The Steelers cornerback had a winding return to the Jets’ 1-yard line, which resulted in a block on Jets guard Xavier Newman-Johnson that left him injured on the field (injury occurs at the top of the screen on this play near the 15-yard line).
IT’S BEANIE, BABY:bangbang: @_sbx2
:calling: Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/E3w2mgnQiW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 21, 2024
Newman-Johnson had his neck stabilized and was stretchered off. The NBC broadcast reported that he would be taken to the Level 1 Trauma Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, roughly four miles from Acrisure Stadium.
NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark reported during the telecast that Newman-Johnson has movement in his limbs, a huge relief given how the scene unfolded.
Some good news: Xavier Newman is traveling back with the team tonight. Tests were negative at the local hospital, per Ulbrich. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 21, 2024
Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich provided a positive update after the game, noting that tests were negative at the hospital and that Newman-Johnson would travel home with the team.
Newman-Johnson is a third-year pro who has been on the Jets since the 2023 season after going undrafted out of Baylor in 2022. He was in the game because regular starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker had departed earlier with an injury.
What Happened in Jets-Steelers At Time of Injury?
The Jets and Steelers were in a tight back-and-forth game at the time of Newman-Johnson’s injury. Pittsburgh was clinging to a 16-15 in Russell Wilson’s first start of the season, a controversial decision after Justin Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 start.
New York raced out to a 15-6 lead in the first game since trading for All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. The Jets had piled up over 250 yards thanks to a big game from Breece Hall, who went over 100 scrimmage yards in the third quarter. That included a 57-yard catch-and-run to set up Rodgers’ first touchdown pass of the night to tight end Tyler Conklin.
However, Wilson’s insertion into the starting lineup brought George Pickens to life. Pickens had four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown by the third quarter, his second 100-yard game of the season.
Rodgers also threw an interception to the undrafted rookie Bishop earlier in the game. It’s his sixth interception in his last three games.
For his part, Adams was off to a quiet start in his Jets debut, with three catches on eight targets for 30 yards through three quarters.
