After numerous injuries to his ankle this season, Jets tight end Ryan Griffin was placed on injured reserve with serious ligament damage. He will face months of rehab, but the hope is that he’ll see the field again by training camp.
The tight end told reporters Monday that he had surgery last week to repair ligament damage in his ankle, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Doctors estimate that his recovery time could be upwards of six months, jeopardizing his availability for OTAs.
The Jets were no strangers to injuries this season. This one, though, cuts a bit deeper, as Gang Green inked Griffin to a three-year, $9.6 million extension in November. Seeing how he’ll turn 30 in January, the team must remain optimistic that their playmaking tight end can return to form.
The injury also opens the door for Chris Herndon to reassert himself amongst the starters. After being taken by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, New York hoped that Herndon would develop into a viable weapon for Sam Darnold.
While Griffin will be sidelined for much of the offseason, the Jets have invested notable capital in him. To say he’s already lost the starting role would be premature, but this will give Herndon an edge over the summer.