NY Jets 2021 free-agent class has been decimated by injuries

The NY Jets free agent class from 2021 was promising from the start, but injuries have ravaged the group as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.

First, it was Carl Lawson, whose season-ending Achilles injury made him the first Jets player relegated to the sidelines.

Soon, others followed suit: Lamarcus Joyner, Jarrad Davis, Vinny Curry, Tyler Kroft, and, most recently, Corey Davis.

In New York's season-opener, Joyner suffered a season-ending injury, leaving the Jets with few options at safety. Marcus Maye also got hurt and was sidelined for the rest of the season, so the Jets' secondary hasn't been performing as well as it could have this year.

Jarrad Davis sprained his ankle in the preseason and missed six regular-season games. Davis has been underwhelming in his return from injury, causing Quincy Williams to take over the starting job in the linebacker unit.

NY Jets' free agent signings in 2021 have suffered the worst injuries so far

Defensive end Vinny Curry was ruled out for the season due to some complications from a rare blood disorder. Curry tried to return to the Jets in September, but the complications worsened and he's now taking the necessary time off to regain his health.

Tyler Kroft had six respectable showings at tight end before suffering a chest injury in Week 9. The ex-Bills player hauled in 10 passes for 104 receiving yards before landing on injured reserve.

Finally, wide receiver Corey Davis will undergo core muscle surgery causing him to miss the rest of the season. This was Davis' first season as the No. 1 wideout and with a promising quarterback to boot, but unfortunately, he will cede his starting position to other receivers, perhaps Denzel Mims.

There are also 2021 free agents who haven't been ruled out for the season but have still missed time. Keelan Cole was placed on the COVID-19 list for Week 13 and missed Week 1, and Tevin Coleman missed four games due to a non-COVID illness and hamstring injury.

There's no way around it: some kind of epidemic has specifically targeted Jets' free agent signings this season, wiping out players on both sides of the ball.

The Jets' bad fortune hasn't been as devastating as, say, that of the Baltimore Ravens, but it is slightly strange that the 2021 free agent is taking the brunt of the injuries.

Better luck with free agency next year.