Jets trade tight end to Vikings

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets traded tight end Chris Herndon to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

Herndon was a fourthround pick of the Jets in 2018 out of Miami. He had a promising rookie season, but never quite became the consistent playmaker New York was hoping for.

NFL Network first reported the trade as teams whittled their rosters to the maximum 53-player limit. The person confirmed the deal to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither team had announced the trade.

NFL Network also reported the Jets sent a 2022 sixth-round pick along with Herndon for a 2022 fourth-rounder.

The 25-year-old Herndon has 71 career catches for 796 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons. He was in a competition this summer with Tyler Kroft, Ryan Griffin, Daniel Brown, Trevon Wesco and Kenny Yeboah. It appeared Kroft, a free-agent signing in March, had moved ahead of him on the depth chart. Griffin, Brown and Yeboah were all among the Jets' 53-player cuts Tuesday.

Among the Jets' other notable cuts included quarterbacks James Morgan, a fourth-round pick last year, and veteran Josh Johnson. That leaves just rookie Zach Wilson and Mike White, who hasn't taken a regular-season snap, at the position.

Meanwhile, Herndon should step right into a starting role in Minnesota.

The Vikings found themselves in dire need of a tight end, with a knee injury to Irv Smith Jr. that will require surgery and keep him sidelined for at least a few games.