FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets are clinging to the "Next Man Up" philosophy in their secondary -- except they're running out of men.
Backup free safety Doug Middleton, starting for the injured Marcus Maye (broken thumb), will be out for the remainder of the season after tearing a pectoral muscle Sunday in the 37-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Before the Middleton injury, the Jets were down three of their top five defensive backs: Maye (three games missed), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (three games with a quadriceps injury) and nickelback Buster Skrine (two games with a concussion).