Jets RB Chip Trayanum Hospitalized with Neck Injury After Scoring TD vs. Giants

Rookie Chip Trayanum was transported to a local medical facility following a neck injury sustained on the final play of the first half against the Giants.

New York Jets rookie running back Chip Trayanum was transported to a local hospital on Friday night following a neck injury sustained during the final play of the first half against the New York Giants. The undrafted rookie out of Toledo had recorded 38 rushing yards on 12 carries and scored the Jets' only touchdown of the opening half prior to the incident. Medical personnel placed the athlete in a neck brace and secured him to a backboard before he was loaded onto a cart and driven off the field at MetLife Stadium.

Key details

The Jets organization announced that the ball carrier was awake and alert following the collision. Team officials confirmed the player maintained movement in all of his extremities as he underwent evaluation by trauma specialists. During the transport off the turf, the rookie appeared to be flexing both of his hands, a positive sign regarding neurological function. The injury occurred as trainers and physicians rushed onto the playing surface to attend to the downed individual while teammates and coaches remained nearby, with many kneeling in prayer during the several minutes required for stabilization.

The sequence began with 10 seconds remaining on the clock before the intermission. Rather than instructing quarterback Cade Klubnik to take a knee to end the period, the coaching staff opted to execute a rushing play. Trayanum received a handoff from the signal-caller and was immediately tackled by Trace Ford. The impact left the runner stationary on the grass, prompting an immediate medical response from the sidelines as the halftime whistle blew.

Before the medical emergency, the Toledo product served as the primary offensive engine for the opening possession. He carried the ball nine times across a 10-play drive, which he eventually capped with a 1-yard touchdown run. By the time the second quarter concluded, he had accumulated 12 total touches for 38 yards. This performance accounted for the entirety of the Jets' scoring output during the first two quarters of the Friday night contest.

Latest developments

Trayanum entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent following his collegiate career. His workload against the Giants included a heavy volume of carries during the initial stages of the game before the injury occurred on the final snap of the second quarter. The Jets have not provided further updates beyond his initial hospitalization and the confirmation of his neurological responsiveness.

Medical staff spent approximately eight minutes stabilizing the player before the cart exited the stadium tunnel. The atmosphere in East Rutherford turned somber as the rookie remained motionless for several minutes following the hit by Ford. Despite the intensity of the collision, the fact that the player was conscious provided a glimmer of hope for the New York sideline. The coaching staff faced immediate questions regarding the decision to run a play with so little time remaining on the clock.

Statistically, the rookie was outperforming other backfield options during the preseason finale. His 3.2 yards per carry average during the first half was a focal point of the broadcast before the focus shifted to his health. The touchdown run showcased his short-yardage power, as he surged through the middle of the Giants' defensive line. This specific score was the culmination of a drive that spanned over five minutes of game time.

As the second half resumed, the mood remained heavy among the Jets' roster. The team continued the game without their leading rusher from the first half, as updates were filtered through the communications department. The medical team at the hospital will likely conduct imaging to determine the extent of the damage to the cervical area. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the young athlete who showed significant promise during his limited snaps on the field.