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Jets’ protection of Sam Darnold lives up to low expectations

The Jets offensive line took its first game snaps with all five starters together Sunday afternoon.

It showed.

The revamped unit had a tough time giving Sam Darnold enough protection to throw the ball, allowing four sacks and nine quarterback hits in a 17-16 loss to the Bills at MetLife Stadium.

“I feel like the communication could have been a little bit better to start the game,” new left guard Kelechi Osemele said. “That’s just going to come with time.”

The offensive line battled injuries during training camp — right guard Brian Winters had a shoulder injury while Osemele missed time with a pectoral muscle injury — and center Ryan Kalil didn’t sign to come out of retirement until Aug.