Two of the Jets' stars, running back Breece Hall and cornerback Sauce Gardner, likely won't play when the Jets play the Dolphins on Sunday.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said it would take “something magical to happen” for him to overcome his knee and hamstring injuries, respectively, and that the “questionable” picks should be made in time. .
The Jets have plenty of experience to lean on to replace Gardner, with Brandin Echols in position to start alongside DJ Reed.
Echols has collected two pick-sixes against Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in previous meetings. While it doesn't simplify the challenge of replacing an All-Pro cornerback, this solution does have a touch of familiarity.
But Gang Green's options to replace Hall revolve around youth. There are about two running backs who have played in a total of 24 games, and another running back who has played in 38 career games but has just 88 rushing yards.
Still, it looks like rookies Braylon Allen and Isiah Davis will be responsible for the majority of the handoffs for 60 minutes at Hard Rock Stadium, scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in their Jets debut Sunday. Kane Wang Woo is also available.
“It's definitely something you want,” Allen told the Post about the opportunity for him and Davis. “Of course, you don't want someone in your position to be injured and not be able to play, but an opportunity is an opportunity.”
Ulbrich expected his backup running backs to still “do the job” without Hall, who didn't practice all week.
The injury included “a little MCL and a little hyperextension,” according to Ulbrich, and the third-year running back has 692 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season, which he called “the most.” There is. A “trying year” in his life didn't feel right. He also tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2022 as a rookie.
Since returning last season, Hall hasn't missed a game.
Allen, a fourth-round pick this year, stole some carries from him, and Davis, a fifth-round pick of the Jets in April, had a snap Sunday for his first career touchdown, but Miami A rare chance to handle most of the carries in battle.
This isn't as obvious a solution as replacing Echols with Gardner, but Gardner also didn't practice all week.
But as the lost season comes to an end, the losses cascade, and the vision moves away from the present, the Jets' distribution of carries changes to how Allen and Davis could fit into the long-term blueprint behind the Hall. It may help you get a glimpse of what's going on.
“This is just an opportunity to show what we can do,” Davis told the Post. “I feel like our running back room, there can't be any dismounts. So no matter what happens with Brees on Sunday, no matter what decision he makes, the running backs are going to be the next guy. You have to prove that you are just as good or better.”
WR Allen Lazard (chest) and OL Wes Schweitzer (finger) are back from injured reserve and will play Sunday. …Offensive players Aliyah Vera-Tucker (ankle), Olu Fashanu (toe), Morgan Moses (knee/shoulder), and Xavier Newman (groin) were limited on Friday. Listed as questionable, Quantez Stigers (illness) was listed as “questionable'' after practicing sufficiently. … OL John Simpson (illness), who missed practice on Thursday, played the full game on Friday and sat out the weekend with an injury designation.
