New York Jets' Wayne Hunter will no longer be the team's starting right tackle, coach Rex Ryan announced Thursday. Hunter, who has struggled during the Jets preseason, will be replaced by Austin Howard, a 6-foot-7, 333-pound, third-year backup from Northern Iowa.
The move to bench Hunter comes days after a very bad performance in the Jets' 26-3 loss to the New York Giants last Saturday. On many occasions, Hunter was beaten by Giants defensive linemen and allowed quarterback Mark Sanchez to be hit or sacked -- the performance was so bad, SB Nation New York's Chris Celletti called Hunter "the worst starting offensive lineman in football."
Howard will step in after last season being picked up by the Jets in November after he was cut from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Originally, Howard was an undrafted free agent in 2010 who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he made the 53-man roster and played in four games.
For more Jets news, stick with this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Check out Gang Green Nation for reaction on the Hunter news.