There comes a point where the “next man up” mentality has its breaking point. Entering week three of the season, the New York Jets receivers have hit that point. Jamison Crowder is set to miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury. Second-round pick Denzel Mims remains on IR, and Breshad Perriman is now out with an ankle sprain. That being said, the Jets will play the Indianapolis Colts with a receiving corps made up of Chris Hogan, Braxton Berrios, Josh Malone, and Lawrence Cager.
With all these injuries, it makes sense that the Jets deep tight end room would step up and play a bigger role. Yet somehow, through two weeks, the Jets tight ends only have accounted for seven receptions. If there is any chance the Jets can overcome their injury woes, they must figure out where their tight ends have gone.
The Disappearance of Chris Herndon and the Jets Tight Ends
Chris Herndon
Back in 2018, the Jets drafted Miami tight end Chris Herndon. The 6’4” and 253lbs Herndon has always played a well-rounded game, just struggled to stay on the field. Off-field issues and injuries plagued him throughout college, and have continued into the pros.
As a rookie, Herndon put up 502 yards and four touchdowns, as he grew a strong connection with quarterback Sam Darnold late in the season. It appeared as if Herndon would become the receiving tight end the Jets have lacked since Dustin Keller. That was until a suspension and injuries caused Herndon to lose essentially his entire second season.
Now back healthy, the Jets should be utilizing Herndon’s ability to stretch the field, specifically over the middle. But through two games, Herndon has only been used underneath as a security blanket for Darnold. His rookie season, he averaged 12.9 yards per reception compared to this season’s 6.0. So why has Herndon not been used as the vertical threat he is when the Jets so desperately need him to be?
Ryan Griffin
Between Herndon’s suspension and injuries last season, the Jets needed someone to step up to replace his production. And that is when long-time Houston Texan Ryan Griffin came into the fold. Griffin put up career highs in touchdowns (five) and starts (13), on his way to earning a three-year contract extension. Darnold having Griffin as a big playmaker in the RedZone was huge last season. And now, with the Jets having the worst RedZone scoring percentage (touchdown only) this season, Griffin needs to be utilized. So why has he not received a single target, let alone one in the red zone?
Trevon Wesco
One of the most surprising reports out of Jets training camp this off-season was the praise of second-year tight end Trevon Wesco. A fourth-round pick in 2019, Wesco struggled in every aspect of the game as a rookie. Now in year two, the Jets were expected to see Wesco cut into the snaps of Griffin and even provide an option as a fullback. Nevertheless, through two games, Wesco has yet to see a single target. If Wesco had such a great training camp, then why is he not being utilized as more than a run blocker?
When Will They Return?
Only one man can answer this question – Jets head coach Adam Gase. With all three tight ends healthy, there is nothing holding Gase back from utilizing the tight ends in the passing game. Herndon is able to stretch the field, something no Jets receiver has been able to through two weeks. Griffin is a red zone threat for a team with only five pass attempts in the red zone. Meanwhile, Wesco can fill in the underneath role that Herndon has been playing this season. Again, the Jets are beyond the “next-man-up” mentality with their top two receivers both being best suited for the slot. So, when might Gase utilize his tight ends correctly? For Darnold’s sake, fans can only hope it will be this Sunday.
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