Jets guard Brian Winters says he’ll be back for OTAs

A Week 6 ACL tear to his left knee may have sidelined Jets right guard Brian Winters for the rest of this season, but the second-year offensive lineman tells Metro that he plans on being back ahead of next year’s training camp.

Winters had repair surgery on his knee Oct. 29 in what he called a basic procedure. Currently in the recovery and rehab portion of his comeback, now two weeks removed from his injury, Winters was at the team’s facility for his first workout on Wednesday. It was a machine-based workout of upper body muscles and it lasted about two hours.He joked about how frustrating it is to use machines rather than free-weights and barbells. The former third round pick has earned a solid reputation with the team in the weight room.

“I think I will be back – back on the field come OTAs this summer,” Winters told Metro. “I’m pretty optimistic about that. I want to be back so I can get ready for camp later that summer.”

There is no timetable for him to begin jogging or any type of on-field activities, he said, noting that it is still early in the process. He will spend the upcoming bye week at the facility rather than go home as he had originally planned, continuing his conditioning and rehab work. Currently, there is a brace in place and stitches are still in Winters’ knee. He uses one crutch to help move around.

Winters started the last 12 games of the 2013 season and all six games this year before he suffered the injury. After some struggles last year, the second-year left guard was making steady progress in 2014.

Winters hailed his replacement, Oday Aboushi, for stepping up in his absence.

“Oday is a good offensive lineman,” Winters said. “It’s nice to see him come in and do well. He’s been working hard in practice for it.”