BY NICK ST. DENIS
Monday, it was reported New York Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland sustained a "mild" concussion the day before in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and he was expected to be available this coming weekend.
Apparently the concussion wasn't quite mild enough.
Cumberland is now considered no-go when Gang Green hosts the New Orleans Saints Sunday, according to Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News.
The absence of the fourth-year Jet is a critical one, as the team's top player at the position -- Kellen Winslow -- will be serving the last game of his suspension, leaving the much-unproven Zach Sudfeld to assume a temporary full-time gig.
It's a triple-whammy when you take into account that the Saints got back Jimmy Graham, who is widely considered to be the NFL's best tight end, last week. Graham was still a bit tender last week but will be full-go by the time he takes on the Jets.
Cumberland is averaging 16.5 yards a catch this year, only second on the team to oft-injured wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Cumberland has a pair of touchdowns and is a regular extension of the offensive line on rushing downs.
Both Jets coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Geno Smith expressed their confidence in Sudfeld Wednesday, but Sutfeld has just six NFL games under his belt and a mere two catches, both of which came last week. We'll find out what he's all about in a few days.
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