It’s no big secret that the New York Jets are expected to be among the worst offenses in the NFL in 2017, and the team did little to change those expectations in a season opening 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Things will only get harder this week as the team heads out to Oakland to face the Raiders on Sunday afternoon and will be doing so without two of their four tight ends. Actually two of five if you count suspended starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins who is due back next week. The team’s other two tight ends, Eric Tomlinson and Jordan Leggett have been ruled out due to injury.
With that being the case, the Jets may feature little-known local product Neal Sterling, who hails from Belmar, NJ and attended Monmouth University where he played in 43 games en route to racking up 202 receptions for 2,615 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Added several weeks ago as teams were finalizing 53-man rosters, Sterling was brought in after being let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In two seasons with the Jaguars as a developmental tight end/h-back, Sterling has just one NFL start and only 12 receptions for 110 yards without a touchdown.
Even still, with the Jets lacking play makers, the 6′ 4” converted wide receiver could see some action in the slot or in 2 tight end sets. If Sterling does get an opportunity, he’d better make a strong impression if he hopes to hang around once Seferian-Jenkins is due to return next week.
