:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59416055/usa_today_10277096.0.jpg)
On the first day of the offseason program, Jets right guard Brian Winters declared he is feeling healthy.
Brian Winters says he’s healthy now, rehab went well. Goal this season is to be “a dominant offensive lineman in the league. ... I want to go out and be a force.” #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) April 16, 2018
Brian Winters said it was “horrendous” trying to play through his injuries last year. "Wouldn’t wish it on (his) worst enemy." Said it was painful to walk.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 16, 2018
Winters ended the 2017 season on injured reserve with an abdominal tear. That marked the third time in five NFL years his season ended on IR. The offensive lineman later stated he was playing with the injury from Week 2 on.
The Jets are certainly paying Winters to be a force. The right guard was in the first year of a lucrative new deal in 2017 and did not get a whole lot of bang for their buck. At this point of his career, the offensive lineman has around three quarters of a decent season under his belt. There has been a lot of ineffective play and a lot of injuries. The injuries aren’t his fault, but the play needs to get better. His deal has no dead money after this season so he is a potential cap casualty if he can’t stay healthy and produce in 2018.