FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets may see running back Breece Hall return to the field this Sunday against Jacksonville after he missed a game due to a knee injury.
Hall has been recovering from a hyperextension and a hurt MCL in his left knee, which kept him out during last week’s contest against Miami. However, after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he was a full participant in Friday’s training session. Hall has been marked as questionable in the team’s final injury update.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich expressed optimism about Hall’s recovery, stating, “He looks good right now. So it’s promising.”
Currently, Hall leads the Jets with 692 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while also contributing 401 receiving yards and two touchdowns through 46 receptions. In his absence during last week’s game, rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis stepped up, with Allen rushing for 43 yards and Davis adding 40 yards along with his first rushing touchdown.
“We’re hopeful and we’ll see how it goes,” Ulbrich mentioned concerning Hall’s condition.
The Jets are also set to reinstate star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who had missed a game due to a hamstring injury. Conversely, cornerback D.J. Reed is likely to be unavailable due to a groin injury and was listed as doubtful after not participating in practices on Thursday or Friday.
“This has been something that has lingered on occasion,” explained Ulbrich. “It has flared up, settled down, and then flared up again.”
With backup Brandin Echols sidelined by a shoulder injury, either veteran Isaiah Oliver or rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers may step in to play alongside Gardner should Reed be unable to participate. Additionally, Kendall Sheffield may be promoted from the practice squad for the second consecutive game.
Ulbrich also communicated that kick returner Kene Nwangwu would be placed on injured reserve after sustaining a broken hand last weekend against Miami. This injury comes shortly after Nwangwu was honored as the AFC special teams player of the week for his Jets debut, where he returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown and recovered a fumble in a game lost to Seattle.
“To send him out there with a broken hand would be counterproductive for him and for our team, so this unfortunately ends his season,” Ulbrich stated. “He has shown such promise in this league and has already proven to be an accomplished player.”
In addition, offensive lineman Xavier Newman is doubtful with a groin injury, while right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and right tackle Morgan Moses (wrist) have been marked as questionable for the game.