Last week, Jack Del Rio was asked about how much he would play the starters in this game due to the rash of injuries that have happened across the NFL this preseason. He said it had crossed his mind, but still opted to keep his starters in the game into the third quarter. And then not even through the first quarter, Menelik Watson would rupture his Achilles tendon, knocking him out for the season.
Taking over for Watson was Austin Howard, who started at right guard last season and who the coaching staff opted to switch to right tackle, which is where he played for his first four seasons with the Jets.