Jets ‘hopeful’ Breece Hall will return to backfield against Jaguars
After missing the Jets’ Week 14 loss to the Dolphins with a knee injury, Breece Hall may return to the backfield against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Following Friday’s practice, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said the team is “hopeful” the star running back will play Sunday even though he is listed as questionable on the injury report.
The third-year running back missed his first game of the season because of a left knee injury — the same knee he suffered a torn ACL in 2022.
In his place, rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis delivered with a collective 83 yards and one touchdown from Davis.
Hall did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but was listed as a full participant on Friday.
“He looks good right now, so it’s promising,” Ulbrich said. “It says questionable, but we’re hopeful and we’ll see how it goes.”
The 2022 No. 36 overall pick suffered the injury during the Jets’ 28-27 loss to the Colts in Week 13.
He played in the following game after the Jets bye week against the Seahawks, recording 60 yards on 12 carries.
Hall has rushed 692 yards for four touchdowns this season while adding 401 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Mac Jones will stand in the wake of the Jets for the sixth time on Sunday as he holds a 5-0 record over the struggling team.
The Jets are hoping to finally get one over the second-string quarterback, who is filling in for Trevor Lawrence.
“Similar player obviously. Schematically, obviously they do a few things different,” Ulbrich said. “He sees the field amazingly and he always has. You know, that’s kind of always been kind of his superpower as far as seeing coverage and problem solving and making the right decisions, so yeah, he’s going to be a challenge and the thing that Mac Jones doesn’t get enough credit for is his mobility.
“He doesn’t strike you as Michael Vick by any means, but like his legs he consistently extends plays. He consistently scrambles and makes yards, so you got to account for him in both ways.”
CB Brandin Echols (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday while CB D.J. Reed (groin) is doubtful.
Reed did not practice on Thursday or Friday and was a limited participant on Wednesday.
If both Echols and Reed are out on Sunday, Ulbrich said rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers will get more reps.
“I’m excited for him. So, if he gets an opportunity to play, I am excited about what he can do,” Ulbrich said. “He is a guy that has demonstrated great growth this season and he has got elite ball skill. So, if we got to roll with Qwan’tez Stiggers then we are excited about that opportunity for him and for us.”
RB Kene Nwangwu (hand) was ruled out against the Jaguars and OL Xavier Newman (groin) is doubtful.
Offensive linemen Moses Morgan (wrist) and Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) are both questionable.