Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.

Joe Tippmann spent all summer battling for the starting center job for the Jets.

Then, Alijah Vera-Tucker tore his triceps in practice before Week 1, and suddenly Tippmann was the team’s right guard. 

Tippmann made the move last week and played very well against the Steelers.

Tippmann did not allow a sack or a quarterback pressure in the game and was part of a line that opened up massive holes for a running game that piled up 182 yards.

It was the first time Tippmann played guard in a regular season game since his 2023 rookie season. 

“It was good,” Tippmann said. “It kind of took me back to rookie year. I just had the greater part of the week to get my feet underneath me and get back into the flow of everything. I look forward to being able to improve off of last week. The longer I’m at the position, the more I can lock in on the fine details that will be able to make me a great guard.” 

There are some people around the league who think Tippmann might be better suited to playing guard than center, the position he was drafted at.

With Vera-Tucker out for the season, Tippmann is at guard for the foreseeable future unless something happens to center Josh Myers. 

Tippmann said not having to deal with the responsibilities at center of calling the protection then snapping the ball made life easier last week. 

“Playing center for as long as I did, it was something I kind of didn’t even realize,” Tippmann said. “But now not having to snap it and just be able to fire off the ball on every play, it’s a huge advantage. Being able to get on somebody instead of having to think about the declarations. I’m going to help Josh as much as I can but at the same time I can kind of shut off a portion of my brain. Being able to without even thinking about it, just go get on somebody it’s something that’s little but there are advantages to it.” 

The Jets elevated CB Korie Black from the practice squad.

He was a seventh-round pick of the Giants.

DE Will McDonald was fined $14,441 for making a violent gesture in the Steelers game.