The Jets voided the trade with the Carolina Panthers for right tackle Jeff Otah, who was unable to pass his physical in the seven-day window agreed to by the teams last week.
The Jets had an option to extend the seven-day window and complete the acquisition from the Panthers, but declined. His entrance physical showed fluid around Otah’s troublesome right knee. He did light work during training camp on the sideline with the team’s strength and conditioning staff.
Otah said Monday he wasn’t sure he would pass a physical today by 4 p.m., the contingency deadline the two teams agreed to for Otah to be cleared medically and officially complete the deal that would’ve shipped a seventh-round pick to the Panthers.
The Panthers could decide to release Otah, who has missed 28 of 32 games the past two seasons because of lingering knee issues. The Jets could still have interest in adding a veteran to compete with embattled right tackle Wayne Hunter.
Hunter, 31, gave up 8.5 sacks, was penalized 11 times and allowed 32 quarterback hits in 2011. Even in new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano’s more conservative offense, in which Hunter could have regular help from a tight end or chipping fullback in pass protection, the Jets don’t want to expose Mark Sanchez to the the kind of abuse he took late in the 2011 season — 13 sacks in the final four games and seven games in which he was sacked at least three times.
Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo said in May that Hunter would be the starter on the right side without anything close to a glowing endorsement.
“Until they ship him out of here or shoot me dead in my office, the guy’s the starting right tackle,” DeGuglielmo said.
Former second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse, entering his third season, could get a look at tackle.