JETS 101

New York Jets tight end Josh Baker is believed to have a torn ACL, sidelining him for the entire 2012 season. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News first reported the details of the injury. To anyone watching the game, the severity of his injury was apparent immediately. The Jets already lacked quality depth at tight end and now that has been underscored, especially with Dustin Keller suffering a hamstring injury last night as well.

New York Jets tight end Josh Baker was having an impressive training camp, catching the ball as an h-back in Tony Sparano's offense. Josh Baker was essentially the move guy, someone who can play on or off the line of scrimmage and make an impact as a blocker and a receiver. Now the Jets are missing that element.

Josh Baker latched on with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State last year. He caught a touchdown pass against the New York Giants and seemed primed for a bigger role this season.

The Jets are already unstable at tight end. Dustin Keller didn't suffer a serious injury, but hamstring issues have a tendency to linger. Jeff Cumberland missed last night's game and suffered a major injury in 2011, Dedrick Epps hasn't shown much and Hayden Smith is raw.

Where do the Jets go from here? The use of John Conner can help take some pressure away from having to find a true blocking tight end, but the Jets need someone that can get in a three-point stance on the end of the line of scrimmage and help set an edge. That might end up being Wayne Hunter, who was recently demoted to sixth man duty on the offensive line. He has been successful as a blocking tight end in the past.

Also…

Tags: Dedrick Epps, Dustin Keller, Football, Hayden Smith, Jeff Cumberland, John Conner, Josh Baker, New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Tony Sparano, Wayne Hunter

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