New York Jets guard Xavier Newman suffered a neck injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium and was subsequently carted off the field. Following the incident, he was taken to a local hospital in Pittsburgh for a full examination to assess the severity of his injury. The team and fans alike were anxious for updates on his condition.
Interim Jets coach Jeff Ulbrich expressed relief when he announced that Newman’s tests came back negative, indicating that there were no serious injuries. The news provided a much-needed sense of comfort for the team, who had witnessed the alarming scene unfold on the field. Newman’s injury occurred during the third quarter as he was involved in a play following an interception return.
During the play, Newman was knocked down by linebacker Patrick Queen, who was blocking for the return. He landed awkwardly on his back and remained motionless for several minutes, leading to immediate concern from teammates and coaching staff.
Medical personnel attended to him on the field before he was carefully placed on a spine board and transported by ambulance, although there was reported movement in his limbs.
Newman, who had been filling in for starter Alijah Vera-Tucker—who left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury—was a backup offensive lineman. Despite Newman’s efforts and resilience, the Jets ultimately lost the game to the Steelers with a score of 37-15.