New York Jets Tackle Jeff Otah Fails Physical, Trade with Panthers Could be Nullified in Seven Days

By Christopher Gamble

Recently acquired tackle Jeff Otah has failed a physical for the New York Jets.  Otah was acquired from the Carolina Panthers on Monday for an undisclosed draft pick.  The failed physical means that Otah will be placed on the active/physically unable to perform list which means he will not be able to practice with his new team until he passes a physical.

Otah, 26, will have seven days to pass a physical before the trade is nullified.  This is not good news for the talented, but oft-injured tackle who was expected to battle Wayne Hunter for the right tackle position.  Otah has finished the last three seasons on injured reserve and has appeared in only 29 games since being drafted in the first round, 19th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.  He has missed 31 of the last 35 games and only appeared in 2 games last season because of injuries to his left knee.

Otah tweaked the knee last month during OTA’s with the Panthers but tests came back showing that no damage had been done.  However, this failed physical is certainly a cause for concern.  The Jets have wanted to bring someone in to challenge Hunter all offseason but nothing materialized.  Last season they hoped Vladimir Ducasse would challenge Hunter and actually take the position but Ducasse was awful.

Otah, is a big man, standing 6-6 and weighing in at 340 pounds.  He also is immensely talented and was one of the top linemen in the 2008 draft.  However, the Panthers grew tired of seeing Otah spend more time on the sidelines than on the field and they shipped him to the Jets who were in desperate need of offensive line depth and for someone to challenge Hunter.

Whether or not Otah will remain a Jet is anybody’s guess.  I guess we will find out in the next seven days.

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