McGovern was last on the Saints, spending a month in New Orleans after the team signed him off the Jets’ practice squad. He is a nine-year veteran who spent 2020-2023 on the Jets. McGovern now returns to provide depth to the Jets’ interior offensive line.

The Saints are drastically understaffed at center because of a wave of injuries to their offensive line. McGovern made eight starts for the Jets last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He didn’t make their final roster this year and signed with the team’s practice squad after being cut. Though McGovern struggled before the injury in 2023, he is still one of the best options a team can find off the street this late into the season. McGovern could also take some reps at guard if needed, though he hasn’t done so in more than a few years.

McGovern suffered a dislocated knee cap in the Jets’ Week 8 win over the Giants and will now miss at least the next four games. Backup Wes Schweitzer, who replaced McGovern exited a few plays later with an injury and has also been placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. The Jets will be down to their fourth-string center heading into Week 9’s contest against the Chargers and will likely bring in a free agent at some point this week.

According to Rapoport “there’s a chance” McGovern doesn’t need surgery, but he will seek a second opinion to determine what to do next. For now, McGovern is considered week-to-week, which means he’ll be out for Week 9 against the Chargers. The Jets could be down to their third or fourth string center after third-string center Wes Schweitzer also left with a leg injury.