#Jets’ CJ Mosley, Chris Herndon and Marcus Maye need to stay on field

Injuries were a major storyline for the 2019 Jets as they seemingly lost players every week.

They ended up using a franchise-record 73 players and had 20 players go on injured reserve. They had 11 different starting offensive linemen with three starters each at left and right guard. They used four quarterbacks for the first time since 2005 and had six different starting cornerbacks on the outside.

All of that contributed to a 7-9 season. The Jets are hoping the injury bug stays away this year and they can make it through a season healthy.

For some Jets, staying healthy will not only benefit the team but also themselves. Here are the three Jets who really need to show they can stay healthy this year:

C.J. Mosley, inside linebacker

All you have to do to see Mosley’s value is turn on the tape of Week 1 against the Bills last year and watch how he dominated for three quarters. Mosley had an interception he returned for a touchdown, a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and six tackles. He looked like he was everywhere on the field. Then, he wasn’t.

Mosley got injured late in the third quarter and the Jets fell apart without him. They were leading 16-0 when he got hurt and lost 17-16. He would play just one more game in 2019 and had core muscle surgery in December.

But you can’t call Mosley injury-prone. He missed just three games in five years with the Ravens, but his first season with the Jets on a five-year, $85 million deal was a disappointment because he was in the trainer’s room all year. The Jets need Mosley to stay healthy this year to be the quarterback of their defense and a locker-room leader.

Chris Herndon, tight end

There were high expectations for Herndon last year coming off a strong rookie season, but he ended up playing just 18 snaps the entire year. He missed the first four games due to a suspension from the league. Then, he injured his hamstring just before the suspension ended and missed another four games. He finally returned to the field against the Giants in November, but a fractured rib ended his day and his season.

Herndon could be a huge factor in elevating the Jets offense from the basement to respectable. Sam Darnold and Herndon showed good chemistry as rookies in 2018. If they can recapture that, it will help Darnold’s development and improve the Jets offense. Herndon could also be a much-needed red-zone weapon for Darnold to target.

Marcus Maye, safety

Maye played 99 percent of the defensive snaps last season, so he showed he could stay healthy. Now, he has to do it again.

This is a big season for Maye, who is scheduled to be a free agent after this year. There are signs Maye could be looking for a new team next year. The Jets drafted Ashtyn Davis in the third round and he has a similar skill set. The team also may still end up paying Jamal Adams and that would make it unlikely for the Jets to sink money into two players at the same position.

All of that makes it imperative for Maye to stay on the field. In 2018, he was limited to six games by a number of injuries. He never got himself to 100 percent that year. Last season, he was healthy and effective. He made one of the plays of the season against the Steelers, breaking up a pass in the end zone at the end of the game to preserve the December win.

Adams’ contract situation makes Maye even more important. It is possible Adams will sit out if he does not get a contract or the Jets could trade him before the season starts. That would leave Maye as the leader in the secondary, surrounded by a lot of unproven players. The Jets need him on the field.