New York Jets: Update on the extent of tight end Chris Herndon’s injury

New York Jets tight end Chris Herndon has reportedly suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain prior to his return from suspension. Here is the latest regarding his injury.

New York Jets tight end Chris Herndon was all set to return to the Jets offense after serving a four-game suspension for a DUI he was charged with back in June of last season.

And it’s safe to say that the Jets offense certainly needed him.

After five weeks and four games of a dreadful offensive showing, the Jets unit currently ranks dead last in the NFL in most categories. And while injuries to the likes of Sam Darnold and Quincy Enunwa have certainly played a factor in this, so too has Herndon’s absence.

Unfortunately, it appears that the Jets will have to wait even longer to see the return of their promising, up-and-coming tight end.

Herndon reportedly suffered a hamstring injury on Friday running routes on his own in preparation for his return. While we initially weren’t aware of the extent of his injury, we have now learned that it will, in fact, force him to miss time.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Herndon’s injury will keep him out for this week and likely the following week but he is not expected to miss any more time after that.

Rapoport called the injury “minor” and reiterated that “his absence won’t be long.”

This is, of course, a major blow to a Jets offense that was desperately longing for Herndon’s return. Fortunately, the injury does appear to be minor and he likely won’t miss any more than a couple of weeks.

But with the Jets, you never really know.

Gang Green will see the return of quarterback Sam Darnold this week after missing the last three games due to a bout with mononucleosis. The Jets are hoping that Darnold’s return will kickstart a stagnant offense, but he’ll now have to do so without one of his top pass-catchers in Herndon.

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Herndon’s absence is also felt a little extra as a result of what has been a downright awful showing from the offensive line through four games.

No team in the NFL has allowed more sacks than the Jets this season, 23, and that’s despite the team playing one less game than most of the league. On top of that, the Jets are third-worst in rushing yards per game despite having one of the top running backs in the NFL in Le’Veon Bell.

Herndon impressed during his rookie season as a blocker and the Jets could certainly use that in their offense right now.

But alas, the team will have to wait at least another week — likely two — before they see the return of their young tight end. In the meantime, expect Ryan Griffin to continue getting the start with a heavy dosage of both Daniel Brown and Trevon Wesco as well.

Chris Herndon will look to pick up where he left off last season once he finally returns to the gridiron.