Earlier this week, a discouraging update was provided on New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Hall’s rookie campaign was cut short after he tore his ACL in Week 7 on October 23rd against the Denver Broncos.
The second-round pick out of Iowa State had just taken a stranglehold of the lead back job as he saw his carries increase in each game of the season. Coming off a career-high 116 yards against the Green Bay Packers the previous week, Hall’s arrow was pointing up.
Alas, the knee injury stopped the momentum that he was building in its tracks. After undergoing surgery six months ago, his return to the field remained in question. Hall had yet to practice in OTAs, with the most participation for him being some running off to the side.
While no concrete updates were provided, the Jets’ activity with the position, or lack thereof, was telling. New York didn’t bring in a veteran this offseason with the only addition being fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda out of Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday, we got a little more insight as to why that may have been. Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that Hall has looked good during the team workouts this far and is “very optimistic” about the former Cyclones’ chances of suiting up in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
Hall also had a press conference and while he didn’t offer up any predictions about when he could be back on the field, he did offer up something that will get the Jets and their fans excited. “I feel like myself again,” Hall said, as he feels that he is back to normal on the field.
If he is anywhere close to being back to normal only six months after surgery, there is a strong chance that Hall won’t be sidelined at the start of the season. That should probably be taken with a grain of salt as players are always itching to get back out onto the field after an injury.
But, the Jets are going to certainly take their time. There is no reason to rush Hall back onto the field as they have a deep group of running backs behind him on the depth chart capable of carrying the load. If he is unable to suit up, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Abanikanda will handle the reps.
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