The New York Jets played well in their Thursday Night Football clash against the Indianapolis Colts, but that will hardly give them any comfort considering the game’s outcome. Besides being beaten 30-45, they also lost their free safety Marcus Maye for the season.
The news was confirmed on Friday by the Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh, who revealed that Maye tore his Achilles. The 28-year-old player suffered the injury during a non-contact play in the third quarter of the Colts’ game.
Maye wasn’t the only Jet who went down against the Colts. Starter Mike White had to leave the game in the first quarter after injuring his forearm and didn’t return to the field after. White, however, isn’t facing a significant absence and will most likely be ready for Week 10.
Maye, who entered the season on a franchise tag, enjoyed a solid start of the 2021 campaign before getting hurt. He racked up 46 tackles in just six games while also adding one sack, one QB hit, and two passes defended.
“It’s heartbreaking,” the Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said via ESPN. “He’s the communicator back there. He’s the general.”
The Jets don’t have too many options at safety after losing Maye. With LaMarcus Joyner being also out for the season due to an injury, the team now has to rely heavily on 2020’s third-round pick Ashtyn Davis while hoping they can get some production from veterans Sharrod Neasman and Jarrod Wilson.
