'Surreal' return for Mekhi Becton, but Hall of Fame Game a reminder that Jets tackle isn't all the way back yet

Mekhi Becton didn’t only block the opponents lined up in front of him Thursday night, the Jets’ big left tackle stopped himself.

Becton, playing for the first time in nearly two years, felt something in his twice surgically repaired right knee during warmups before the Hall of Fame Game against Cleveland. Becton didn’t want to risk re-injury, so he notified a trainer and removed himself from the game.

Instead of playing the 20 to 25 snaps that coach Robert Saleh said he would, he was in on only seven offensive snaps and four special teams plays.

Becton said he felt fine after the Jets fell to the Browns, 21-16.

“That turf isn’t friendly for people of my size and [with] my type of injury,” he said. “I was feeling it in warmups, so I just pulled myself a little early. I’m good, though. I’m straight.”

Becton has lost 50 pounds to get into playing shape this season, but there still are some concerns about how much he will be able to play.

He missed parts of three practices last week before pulling himself out of this game. Saleh has said they’re working toward getting him through a full week of practice and a full game.

Becton, who was drafted 11th overall in 2020 by the Jets, fractured his right kneecap in Week 1 of the 2021 season and missed the remainder of that season. He hurt the knee again last training camp and underwent a bigger procedure to repair it.

It was a good first step for Becton to get in Thursday’s game, but he definitely has a long way to go. He said it “was surreal” to be playing again.

“We just wanted to make sure that we are doing right by him,” Saleh said. “This is all about confidence for him. If he has got any doubt in it at any time, we are going to be cautious . . . So just probably a little confidence issue, but you saw him go in there for a field goal, so he is fine.”

Becton didn’t entirely agree with Saleh about needing to build confidence so he can play on the knee, but he acknowledged that he has to come to grips with the fact that he’s going to feel pain and discomfort sometimes.

“I just got to know that this is my new normal,” Becton said. “I’m going to have days where it’s painful. I’m going to have days where it’s not painful. That’s just what it is.”

Becton also said it’s difficult knowing that he won’t always feel as strong as he wants to be.

“Knowing the type of player that I am and the things that I like to do, it’s a little tough,” he said. “But I’ll be all right. I’m good.”

The Jets’ left tackle position is very unsettled at this point.

Duane Brown was expected to be the starting left tackle but he’s still not back from offseason shoulder surgery. And with Becton still working his way back, Billy Turner and Max Mitchell have taken all of the first-team reps in practice.

Becton, who started at left tackle Thursday night and wants to start Week 1 at either tackle spot, is going to have to show he can handle and sustain the workload.

“Again,” Saleh said, “he has just got to build confidence in that thing and be able to push through whatever he might be feeling.”

The Jets will continue to be cautious, but they need someone dependable at that position to keep Aaron Rodgers from being hit.

Two-minute drill

First-round pick Will McDonald IV showed off his speed and spin move as he put pressure on Browns quarterback Kellen Mond, forcing an incompletion Thursday night . . . Rookie running back Izzy Abanikanda was the Jets’ leading rusher with 27 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown. Rookie center Joe Tippmann (92%) and left tackle Carter Warren (86%) played the most snaps for the Jets.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.