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It was originally thought that Ryan Kalil would be back this season. Then the team placed him on injured reserve.
Kalil was placed on IR with a knee injury ahead of the Jets’ game with the Redskins on Sunday. However, on Friday, Adam Gase sounded pretty confident that Kalil would return this season and ensured reporters that he didn’t suffer any setbacks.
When asked about the change of plans and IR decision on Monday, Gase didn’t have much to say.
“That was just a decision that was made,” he said. “I don’t really have any further details on that.”
It seems like the Jets had seen enough of Kalil. He clearly wasn’t what the Jets expected when they signed him back in July. With a late start in training camp and him missing every preseason game, Kalil was never able to gel with his fellow linemen.
All in all, the Jets paid him $6.7 million for seven games.
As for his replacement, Jonotthan Harrison has slid back into the starting role quite nicely. The offensive line play has picked up over the last couple games and Gase is liking what he sees from Harrison.
“Jonotthan’s done well the last couple of games,” Gase said. “Really it’s just picking up where he left off. His knowledge of the offense is greater than what it was when we first started in the spring. He’s done a good job of playing fast and his communication has been outstanding.”
For Harrison, this is his chance to prove that he can be the starting center going forward. He’s under contract for one more season but has no guaranteed money left. Joe Douglas has already tried to move on from him once by bringing in Kalil, so it will interesting to see what Douglas will do with Harrison in the offseason.