MIGHTY BLOW

Rookie Becton exits with shoulder injury

INIDANAPOLIS — First, Mekhi Becton took a knee. Then, he took a seat.

It was an eventful day for the Jets’ big rookie, who protested during the national anthem and then exited the game with a shoulder injury.

Becton was the only Jets player to take a knee before the game against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was the first time the Jets were on the field for the anthem this season. They chose to stay in the locker room before their first two games.

Becton, who has been one of the only bright spots for the Jets in this dismal season, then exited the game in the second quarter. Becton had been on the injury report this past week with a shoulder injury and was limited in practice on Wednesday, but it did not seem serious. He must have aggravated the injury during the first half. His exit left Conor McDermott playing left tackle. The Jets already were without starting right tackle George Fant, who suffered a concussion during practice Wednesday. Chuma Edoga started at right tackle.

Adam Gase did not have much information after the game about Becton’s injury, but the Jets have just three days before they play the Broncos on Thursday. It will be tough for any players injured in this game to be back for Thursday.

“We need him to get back and be healthy because he’s a big part of our offensive line in more ways than one,” guard Greg Van Roten said.

➤ DE Jordan Willis (ankle), WR Chris Hogan (quad/knee) and OLB Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) all suffered injuries in the game.

➤ DL Steve McLendon, one of the team captains, on his message to the team at 0-3: “We have two choices, and the two choices are you can lay down and take it, or you can stand up and fight like a man. Those are my words to the guys.”

➤ The Jets are 0-3 for the second straight season. It is the first time since 1980-81 that the Jets have started off 0-3 in consecutive seasons. The Jets started 0-4 last year.