Two years after suffering one of the most career-altering injuries to ever affect an NFL player, Derek Newton has not given up on returning to the league. And the Jets gave the former Texans right tackle a chance on Tuesday.
The Jets worked out Newton today, USA Today’s Mark Jones reports (on Twitter), adding the former Houston starter looked good during the audition. No deal is imminent.
Nevertheless, Newton being in this position is an accomplishment considering he suffered multiple patella tendon tears during an October 2016 game in Denver. He’s attempting to become the first player to suffer bi-lateral patella injuries and return to the NFL, Jones notes.
The Texans released Newton in April. He has a $500K grievance pending against his former employer. Newton will turn 31 next month. He was a five-year starter for the Texans, who have not found a suitable replacement for him yet. Newton signed a five-year deal to stay with the Texans in 2015, but the severe knee injuries a year and a half later sidetracked both parties’ plans.