(Florham Park) Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been inactive for the Chiefs’ first seven games this season.
By week 8 he was fit to play, recovering from a broken hand, but was left out.
He waived his no-trade clause and moved to the Jets on Nov. 2, in return for tight end Daniel Brown.
The 30-year-old Quebecer made his New York debut 12 days later, playing three games with special teams against Buffalo.
Last Sunday, against Miami, Duvernay-Tardif started the match as a right guard, in place of Greg Van Roten.
“I was really happy to play again,” said Duvernay-Tardif. That’s why I came here. It’s incredible. It is a blessing. ”
Duvernay-Tardif started 57 of 60 games for Kansas City, after being drafted in the sixth round in 2014 (from McGill).
Duvernay-Tardif played his first NFL game in 2015; his last with the Chiefs was their 31-20 Super Bowl win on February 2, 2020, against the 49ers of San Francisco.
For a guy who hadn’t played since that Super Bowl, it didn’t take long for him to get rid of the rust.
“He did well,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Of course, there will always be games that you would love to pick up, but I’m glad there is a new opportunity. ”
Duvernay-Tardif, who learns the Jets’ game systems in a hurry, is well appreciated among his new teammates.
“The guy is a doctor, it’s crazy,” right tackle Morgan Moses said, smiling. I asked him jokingly, “hey, can you give me an IV?” Like, “where were you at training camp, when we were all dying”?
“It’s great to have him here. He’s a really good guy. What he has done off the field is fabulous. ”
Duvernay-Tardif admitted that teammates asked him about the COVID-19 vaccine.
This week, Jets quarterbacks Mike White and Joe Flacco, who is unvaccinated, were placed on the COVID-19 sidelined list.
“I have the impression that as a health professional, we have a responsibility to try to give the best information possible,” said the native of Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
“It’s a personal decision, but for sure I believe everyone should be vaccinated. I try to state the facts and be objective. ”
He has already left his mark on the pitch. And apart from this (the work done in long-term care centers, in particular), it’s only just beginning.
“Football is an incredible adventure, but it is also, for me, a platform that promotes a bigger message,” said Duvernay-Tardif.
“For me, it’s public health. Trying to do prevention with children, and so on.
“I hope what I’ve done will follow me, because I want to use it to try to have a bigger impact. ”