New York Jets’ Jermaine Cunningham suffers torn Achilles

Jermaine Cunningham certainly hasn’t had the type of career he’d hoped for or expected.

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The New England Patriots selected Cunningham with the 53rd-overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After an excellent career with the Florida Gators, the Patriots hoped he’d be the pass rusher they so badly needed. Cunningham showed some promise during his rookie season – he played in 15 games and made 34 tackles and one sack. Since then, it has all been downhill and after playing in just one game in 2013, he was released. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers but that didn’t work out either and he wound up  with the New York Jets. The Jets liked what they saw and re-signed Cunningham to a one-year deal.

The Jets hoped he could help their pass rush but he was injured during a scrimmage Sunday night.

On Sunday morning, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported the Jets believed Cunningham had a torn Achilles.

Rich Cimini of ESPN New York confirmed the injury.

"Backup outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham tore an Achilles’ tendon Saturday night in the New York Jets’ intrasquad scrimmage, a league source confirmed on Sunday. He’s expected to miss the entire season.Cunningham was helped off the field late in the scrimmage after a running play in which he got caught in a pile. Afterward, Rex Ryan called it a leg injury, saying he was “concerned” because Cunningham was unable to return."

Cunningham has 59 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his career.