Agent: Jets working out ex-Rutgers FB Joe Martinek

CORTLAND – Before John Griffin went down with a major lower leg injury in Friday night’s preseason opener, the Jets had Joe Martinek on their radar.

The former Rutgers fullback is scheduled to work out with the team Saturday afternoon at SUNY Cortland, his agent, Donal Henderson, confirmed to Newsday.

Though Martinek’s trip upstate comes on the heels of Griffin suffering a fracture in his leg, Henderson said his client’s workout with the Jets was set up before hand.

Nevertheless, the 6-0, 225-pound Martinek – who signed previous spent time with the Giants in 2012 – will add some depth to a dangerously depleted running back corp.

The Jets entered Friday night’s game in Detroit without two of their top running backs – Mike Goodson (excused absence) and Chris Ivory (hamstring) – along with kick returner/running back Joe McKnight (head injury) and fullback Lex Hilliard, who, according to a source, has a rib injury.

And with the loss of Griffin, who was injured on a horse-collar tackle by Lions linebacker Travis Lewis early in the second quarter, the Jets need another big body to share the load with Bilal Powell.

Backup running backs Chad Spann and Mossis Madu also are fighting for reps. But with Hilliard sidelined, that leaves just rookie draft pick Tommy Bohanon as the Jets’ only healthy fullback.

But that could all change if they like what they see from Martinek.

The Hopatcong, N.J. native signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2012. Interestingly enough, Martinek, 24, scored his first NFL touchdown against the Jets in a 26-3 Giants’ preseason win on August 18, 2012 at MetLife Stadium. He was released a short time later due to roster cut-downs and was signed to the Giants’ practice squad that October.

Martinek rushed for 1,770 yards and 17 touchdowns on 391 carries, while catching 46 passes for 448 yards and a touchdown in 49 games at Rutgers.

He also is the all-time high school leading rusher in New Jersey state history with 7,589 yards.