Carter Warren doesn’t know how long his window of opportunity will last this season, but for one week — and two games — he has made a strong first impression with the Jets.
The rookie offensive lineman took over for Mekhi Becton at left tackle Sunday against the Bills and then started Friday when Becton (ankle) was inactive, and head coach Robert Saleh said he was “encouraged by what he’s done with his opportunity” — which included logging 100 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps in the 34-13 loss.
Warren’s final collegiate season at Pittsburgh ended with a torn meniscus.
His first professional season with the Jets started on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury.
But when he found out he’d be replacing Becton, the game against the Dolphins gave Warren a chance to demonstrate that he had recovered from the injuries and resembled the offensive lineman the Jets drafted in April.
“Everybody prepares the same,” Warren told The Post following Friday’s game. “When I got out there and I got my opportunity, just like I was a starter from Day 1.”
Warren has worked on strengthening his relationship next to left guard Laken Tomlinson, the nine-year NFL veteran who’s the lone Jets offensive lineman to start all 11 games.
The unit collectively keeps trying to improve its communication alongside the tight ends, quarterback and others, too, Warren said.
But he also needed to make up for practices lost due to the preseason shoulder injury.
Saleh called Warren a “pleasant surprise” Tuesday, someone who impressed with footwork and patience and an ability to not let being “behind the eight ball” impact his ability to contribute after getting activated from injured reserve in October.
They weren’t expecting him to get on the field or log many snaps.
And then injuries, as they have the entire season, forced the offensive line to adjust.
The Jets could be getting replacements soon, though.
Duane Brown, despite not playing Friday, was available after returning from injured reserve.
Saleh was hopeful that Becton and Wes Schweitzer could help for Week 13, too.
In that scenario, the Jets would be inching closer to continuity. To stability. To not unveiling a new offensive line combination every week.
Warren could slide down the depth chart again, shifting toward practice reps for development rather than game snaps protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
He doesn’t know when he’ll start again.
Warren has tried taking it week by week at this point, he said.
But, at least for now, Warren has contributed enough to remain an option if needed.
“He’s fought over the last two weeks, stepped in when really we weren’t expecting him to play at all this season,” Saleh said Saturday. “I’m very encouraged by what he’s done with his opportunity. We’ll see if we can find a way to get him more opportunities for the rest of the year.”
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