Chris Herndon injury update 10/16

The Jets return to practice on Thursday in preparation for Monday Night Football against the Patriots, and they are expected to be conservative in their approach to tight end Chris Herndon. Head coach Adam Gase told the media they don’t want to rush Herndon back and potentially create an aggravation, according to beat writer Manish Mehta. Mehta tweeted that it seems unlikely Herndon plays in Week 7.

The New York Jets formally welcomed back tight end Chris Herndon on Monday. He wrapped up his four-game suspension after the team’s Week 5 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but they used their roster exemption after he injured his hamstring working out on his own.

The Jets were approaching decision time with the exemption, but this hopefully bodes well for Herndon’s hamstring. Gase said last week that the injury is week-to-week, so we’ll have to wait for Wednesday’s practice participation report to see where Herndon is in his progress back.

Fantasy football analysis, Jets TE Chris Herndon

Sam Darnold showed against the Cowboys in Week 6 that he is a decided upgrade to this offense. Once Herndon is healthy, he will be a must own player. The tight end position is a disaster for finding any value. Hunter Henry had a monster game on Sunday against the Steelers, and promptly vaulted into near top five tight end status.

Last year as a rookie fourth round pick, Herndon had 39 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns. He’s no Travis Kelce or George Kittle at this point, but he’s a tremendously valuable tight end to add to your roster if you’ve got space. The Patriots are a tough first matchup next Monday if he plays, but he’s a season-long add worth having.