Jets' Chip Trayanum hospitalized with neck injury after early TD in 23-6 preseason loss to Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Chip Trayanum was taken to a hospital with a neck injury after earlier running for a touchdown in the New York Jets' 23-6 preseason loss to the Giants on Friday night.

The Jets announced that Trayanum, an undrafted rookie running back from Toledo, was awake, alert and had movement in his extremities.

“I think he'll be just fine,” coach Aaron Glenn said after the game. “He'll be just fine.”

Trayanum saw extended snaps and finished with 38 yards on 12 carries as Glenn and the Giants' John Harbaugh rested almost all of their projected starters. With 10 seconds remaining before halftime and with the ball deep in their own territory, the Jets opted to hand it off to Trayanum — who was immediately walloped by Trace Ford.

Jets players and coaches remained on the field — many on their knees and praying — as Trayanum was examined in a scary and eerily quiet scene at MetLife Stadium. He was put in a neck brace, strapped to a backboard and loaded onto a cart and driven off the field.

The 24-year-old native of Akron, Ohio, played a major role on offense early with the Jets (1-2).

After Marcelino McCrary-Ball intercepted Jameis Winston — who started in place of Jaxson Dart — on a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. that was deflected by Qwan’tez Stiggers, the Jets’ offense hit the ground running.

Literally.

The Jets ran on 10 straight plays, including nine by Trayanum, who capped the drive with 1-yard touchdown run. Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik, starting in place of Geno Smith, had the other rush on a 6-yard scramble.

Jason Sanders, who won the Jets’ kicker competition this week by beating out Cade York, was wide left on the extra point. He also was short on a 54-yard field-goal attempt.

With the Giants (2-1) driving deep in Jets territory on their next possession, McCrary-Ball punched the ball out of Braxton Berrios’ hands and Stiggers recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

The Jets couldn’t take advantage and went three-and-out. A 16-yard run by Tyrone Tracy and a 23-yard catch by Beckham got the Giants to the 6, and Tracy ran it in to put the Giants up 7-6 with 28 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Klubnik, a fourth-round pick, was intercepted early in the second quarter by Zaire Barnes, a sixth-rounder of the Jets in 2023 who signed with the Giants last year. It was Klubnik’s first turnover of the preseason.

He played the entire first half and was 6 of 13 for 59 yards and the INT. He was replaced by Bailey Zappe to start the third quarter.

"Overall, not my best ball," Klubnik said.

Glenn said Klubnik was "up and down” and declined to declare him the No. 2 quarterback behind Smith.

Beckham, possibly looking to secure a roster spot, caught three passes for 53 yards on six targets in the first half. But he nearly had an amazing catch.

Early in the second quarter, Beckham got behind the coverage and Winston threw a deep pass that appeared on its way to being a 73-yard touchdown. But the ball was slightly overthrown and Beckham dived, but it went off his fingertips when he hit the ground.

“I don't want to say exactly that he's making it right now or not, what the considerations are, and things can happen,” Harbaugh said. “But I think I would answer the question, yes, I think he has done enough to make an NFL roster, for sure. He’s played well.”

The 33-year-old Beckham, a first-round pick of the Giants in 2014 who played five seasons with the franchise, re-signed with his original team in June. His chances of making the roster improved when Calvin Austin tore the ACL in his right knee earlier this week.

“Super grateful for the opportunity," Beckham said. "At this point, it’s in God’s hands. I know that I have a good feeling about myself. I feel like there’s ball to be played, plays to be made.”

Jake Haener, fourth on the Giants' depth chart behind Dart, Winston and Brandon Allen, had a 37-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Gipson in the fourth quarter.

Haener, who spent his first three NFL seasons with New Orleans, signed with the Giants last week.

Harbaugh announced that rookie Dominic Zvada won the Giants' kicker job, beating out Ben Sauls.

Zvada kicked field goals of 23, 53 and 46 yards against the Jets and made both of his extra points.

Giants: Tracy left in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion, but was cleared to return.

Jets: Glenn said CB Tre Brown was taken to a hospital because of a finger injury. ... Edge rusher Joseph Ossai left in the first quarter with a foot injury. ... Rookie G Anez Cooper, a sixth-round pick, was ruled out after injuring his right shoulder in the second quarter. ... WR Cam Camper was evaluated for a concussion in the second half and cleared. ... RB Dominic Richardson injured an elbow in the fourth quarter.

Giants: Host Dallas in a Sunday night matchup on Sept. 13.

Jets: Take on former coach Robert Saleh and the Titans in Tennessee on Sept. 13.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. can't hold on for an incomplete pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets running back Chip Trayanum (40) and Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik (10) react after scoring during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets running back Chip Trayanum (40) is tackled by New York Giants defensive back Ar'Darius Washington (24) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Fried will come off the injured list to start for the New York Yankees in the second game of Saturday's day-night doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone wouldn't disclose Friday how many pitches he thinks Fried will be able to throw. Fellow left-hander Carlos Rodón is scheduled to get the ball in the opener.

Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season Aug. 17, retroactive to Aug. 14, with a left elbow bone bruise. He was sidelined with the same issue from May 14 until July 22, but this stint will be much shorter.

The three-time All-Star threw live batting practice in between two side sessions this week to prepare for his return after spending the minimum length of time on the IL.

“I think we were hopeful of that going in, ‘cause there was some thought we probably maybe could have even kept him pitching, but felt like this was the smarter thing to do to give ourselves the best chance to be in a better place with him in what we hope is a couple more months of playing," Boone said.

"He has responded well. Actually, similar to how he responded the first time when he left Baltimore and missed more time. He has kind of responded well to that time and then the buildup. Like, he's never really been shut down. So, this week's gone well with the live and then two sides around that. So, excited to get him back out there tomorrow.”

Fried is 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts this season, his second with the Yankees after signing a $218 million, eight-year contract as a free agent.

New York beat Boston 1-0 on Friday night in the opener of a critical four-game series to move three games ahead of the Red Sox in the race for the top American League wild card and home-field advantage throughout a potential best-of-three playoff series between the longtime rivals. The 13-game season series is tied 5-all.

Still waiting for star slugger Aaron Judge to return from a broken rib, the Yankees are four games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

In other injury-related updates, right-hander Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday. Schmidt has been sidelined all year while recovering from Tommy John surgery but could return to help the pitching staff in some capacity before the end of the season.

Boone also said starter Ryan Weathers, placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left forearm flexor strain, is doing very well and is “going to be back in the mix.”

"So, we’re going to have an influx of starters and that’s going to end up bumping guys to the (bullpen) that could become real factors,” Boone said.

Third baseman Ryan McMahon (left thumb sprain) is expected back from the injured list when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is rehabbing as though he's trying to return this season, but he hasn't resumed baseball activities, Boone said.

Stanton has been out since April 25 with a right calf strain. He had another setback in his recovery last week when he strained his left calf while running the bases.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers leaves during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)