Jets guard Joe Tippmann thriving after ‘selfless’ position change

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Joe Tippmann figures it’s been about nine weeks since he snapped a football.

That is when the Jets lineman moved from center to right guard after Alijah Vera-Tucker tore his biceps in a practice before the Jets’ first game and was lost for the season. Tippmann slid over to his right and has manned the position all season for the Jets.

In the team’s 27-20 win over the Browns, Tippmann threw the key block to spring Breece Hall on a screen pass that turned into a 42-yard touchdown. He later pulled and kicked out a Browns defender on a key first-down pickup on the game’s final drive.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn called Tippmann “selfless” for making the position change.

“I love that player,” Glenn said. “I love what he’s about. He’s been a huge help for us, he really has. So, again, he’s taken that job on as being our guard and he’s running with it.”

This raises the question of whether Tippmann thinks he will move back to center next year or remain at guard.

“Whatever they need me to do,” Tippmann said. “To be honest, at this point I couldn’t care less which one I’m playing. I just like being on the field playing O-line.”

Tippmann said he has not snapped a ball all season because he has fully immersed himself in his new position.

“I wanted to give it my all,” Tippmann said. “I don’t want to be sitting there all season thinking, ‘Oh, I’m just a guard for this year. I’m going to get back to center.’ I don’t know if I’m ever going to get back to center. Really, I wanted to dive fully into the guard position.”

Tippmann said he’s gotten more comfortable with playing guard as the year has gone on and he can always step in at center if needed.

“I’m always available,” Tippmann said. “You don’t lose the ability to snap the ball, but if I’m going to play guard, I want to dive fully into playing guard and only think about playing guard. Any situation where they would need me, I know I can step in and be able to get it done.”

Jets KR Kene Nwangwu was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Browns.

WR Garrett Wilson (knee) and CB Azareye’h Thomas (concussion) were officially ruled out of Thursday’s game.

DT Harrison Phillips (foot), DE Will McDonald (quad) DE Braiden McGregor (shoulder), RB Khalil Herbert (groin), and G Xavier Newman (ankle) were all listed as questionable. …The Patriots ruled out WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), TE Austin Hooper (concussion), LB Christian Elliss (hip) and RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe).