Jets Rookie Chip Trayanum Suffers Scary Injury After Huge Hit vs. Giants

The Jets signed Chip Trayanum as an undrafted free agent in May 2026.

Jets Rookie Chip Trayanum Suffers Scary Injury After Huge Hit vs. Giants

Chip Trayanum suffers an injury in the Jets final preseason game against the Giants (Image via Sports Illustrated/YouTube Screengrab)

The New York Jets rookie running back Chip Trayanum’s night ended abruptly on Friday. He was taken to the hospital after suffering a gruesome injury.

The Jets faced city rivals the New York Giants for the 57th time in the preseason. Both coaches fielded a myriad of second- and third-stringers to test them out before the 53-man roster lockdown.

Trayanum got the nod as the Jets’ lead back for the game behind fellow rookie Cade Klubnik. Right before halftime, Klubnik handed the 24-year-old rusher the ball. However, Trayanum’s run was quickly shut down by Giants linebacker Trace Ford.

Although the impact did not appear catastrophic, nonetheless, damage was done. Trayanum stayed down, and the medical team quickly carted him away. He did not return to the game.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini and Adam Schefter, Chip Trayanum was transferred to the nearby hospital. The Jets suspect that he may have suffered a neck injury.

Jets say RB Chip Trayanum is on the way to the hospital due to a neck injury. He is awake, alert, and has movement of his extremities.

Schefter tweeted

Cimini further reported that Trayanum was awake during the transfer and said: “he’ll be just fine.”

It was shaping up to be a decent night for Trayanum until the injury. He scored a touchdown around the eight-minute mark. His outing ended with 12 carries for 38 yards and one rushing score. He also caught 2 passes for 25 yards on 3 targets.

Trayanum performed admirably in the offseason and in the preseason. In the first two friendlies, he combined for 24 yards on 9 carries. Even though he’s buried in the depth chart behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, Trayanum had a fair chance of at least making the practice squad. But the injury may harm his NFL ambitions.

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Who is Chip Trayanum?

Chip Trayanum hails from Akron, Ohio. After completing high school, Trayanum committed to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Two years later, he transferred to the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he played at several different positions, including linebacker and returner.

Jets Rookie Chip Trayanum Suffers Scary Injury After Huge Hit vs. Giants
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (Image via IMAGO)

In 2024, he entered the transfer portal for the second time and joined the Kentucky Wildcats. But he found first-team chances limited. After just three games, he changed schools once again. This time, he dropped down to a Group of Five school and joined the Toledo Rockets.

Trayanum finally saw some first-team action. In 11 games, he rushed 182 times for 1015 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. He also scored a couple of receiving touchdowns, earning a First Team All-MAC selection.

In six college football seasons, Trayanum accumulated 428 carries for 2272 yards and 25 touchdowns in 50 games (18 total starts). Trayanum went undrafted in 2026. In May, he signed a rookie contract with the New York Jets.

The Jets lost to the Giants in preseason

Klubnik turned the ball over right before Trayanum went down with an injury. The Giants capitalized. Jameis Winston set up running back Tyron Tracy Jr. for a six-yard touchdown. Kicker Dominic Zvada increased the G-Men’s lead with consecutive successful field goals.

The Giants eventually sealed the victory when quarterback Jake Haener connected with former Jet Xavier Gipson for a 37-yard TD. It ended 23-6. The Giants finished their preseason campaign with two wins while the Jets logged two losses and one win.

All eyes now switch to August 30 when the teams will announce the final 53-man roster.

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