Jets center Joe Tippmann is sporting a nice shiner around his left eye.
It’s fitting because Tippmann has been beaten up during this training camp.
Tippmann, the second-year player from Wisconsin, has struggled with shotgun snaps during camp and that is why he was the only Jets starter who played Saturday’s preseason opener with the Commanders.
Tippmann played two series and had no bad snaps in the 20-17 Jets victory.
He worked with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
It was a small victory for Tippmann, who said he struggled with a heavier workload this year as compared to his rookie training camp, when he was not the starter.
“I feel good now,” Tippmann said after the game. “There were some growing pains getting there kind of starting with just picking up the bigger load at the beginning of camp as compared to last year. I was eased into there. I think they’ve gotten a lot better. I’ve really been able to hold them down now and get them back there to the [quarterbacks]. That came with a lot of hard work, working with the quarterbacks, working with my coaches in the O-line room. I feel like we’re in a good place.”
Tippmann has had several practices where he had bad snaps.
During one practice, starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was visibly upset with him.
Then, in the team’s intrasquad scrimmage, Tippmann launched a snap over Rodgers’ head for a 22-yard loss.
Rodgers said he knows that he can get on Tippmann and the young center said he understands when Rodgers rides him.
Tippmann would not reveal how he got the black eye, other than to say it happened in practice.
Don’t worry, Rodgers did not give it to him.
“It’s a great relationship,” Tippmann said. “Aaron’s always out there trying to make me better. I really appreciate that out of him. I know it comes from a place of love. He’s always just trying to make me better because he knows I can be better. Any critique that comes from him I take it well.”
Saturday was the first time that Tippmann has spoken to the media since his snapping issues popped up a few weeks ago.
Tippmann began his rookie year as a backup but became the starting center midway through the year.
There were no obvious issues with his snaps, but this year it has been one of the biggest stories of camp.
Tippmann said he has had to fight allowing the struggles to affect him mentally.
“It’s hard,” Tippmann said. “It’s hard because it’s the first thing you do. Usually it’s something I do unconsciously. I don’t even think about it. Having to really think about it every play is something I had to work through. Not really getting that jump off the ball just because I had to think about the snaps. I’ve worked through that and feel like I’m in a good place.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tippmann’s struggles were not the primary reason he was the only starter to play Saturday.
“He’s a second-year kid,” Saleh said. “Just trying to let him work through some kinks that he needs to work out. Also with Tyrod in there, just wanted him to mirror Tyrod’s snap count.”
The offense did not do much when Tippmann and Taylor were in the game.
They failed to get a first down.
It was not until the second quarter when the Jets broke through.
Long runs by rookie running back Braelon Allen of 24 and 16 yards and a 24-yard reception by rookie back Isaiah Davis set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Peasley to Jason Brownlee.
The Jets did not have any starters on defense.
Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels put together an 11-play touchdown drive that included a 42-yard completion and ended with Daniels scoring on a three-yard run.
The Jets scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to win the game.
Running back Israel Abanikanda scored a two-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17-17.
Backup kicker Austin Seibert made a 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to give the Jets the win.
