Jets vs. Broncos: Why LaDainian Tomlinson Injury Will Cripple New York

If there is one place the 5-4 New York Jets have struggled this season that has surprised everyone, it is in their running game.

The Jets are currently 24th in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging just 98.1 yards per game. Now, they have lost veteran back LaDainian Tomlinson for at least a week with an MCL sprain, and that won't help things.

While Tomlinson isn't the team's starting back, he gives the Jets a versatility that starter Shonn Greene lacks. While he has only rushed 46 times for 167 yards, Tomlinson is currently fourth on the team with 25 catches and 312 receiving yards out of the backfield.

Second-year running back Joe McKnight will take Tomlinson's place and while the USC product has done a nice job returning kicks this season, he isn't the reliable threat Tomlinson is out of the backfield. 

While it may not seem like Tomlinson offers a whole lot to the Jets' offense, one thing he does provide is a safety valve that quarterback Mark Sanchez can feel comfortable dumping the ball off to. While McKnight and Sanchez played together at USC, the familiarity between the two isn't the same as what Tomlinson has meant to the young quarterback over the last two seasons.

The problem with Tomlinson's absence is that it will put more pressure on Sanchez, who is not having a great season. So far this year the 25-year-old has completed 169 of 298 passes (56.7 percent) for 2,081 yards, with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His passer rating of 81.5 ranks him 18th out of the 33 passers who qualify.

Sanchez is a guy who could use all the help he can get and Tomlinson being gone takes away a guy who has essentially become his fourth receiver.

Unless the young signal-caller gains more confidence in his other weapons, the veteran running back's absence from the lineup could be a big problem for the Jets.