Most fans expected a combo of Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson to get a lot of the snaps at running back with Michael Carter on injured reserve, but in Sunday’s first half against Houston, the Jets’ biggest run play came from…Austin Walter?
That’s right, Tevin Coleman had six carries for 31 yards to pace the backs over the first 30 minutes, but the most impactful run was this two-yard rush by Walter with 1:13 left:
The score, plus this two-point conversion run in by backup QB Josh Johnson, made it 14-11 headed to the half:
Walter, 25, was on the Jets’ practice squad until this week, when he was elevated to fill in at running back with Carter out and La'Mical Perine inactive. He, like Coleman, spent time in San Francisco with Mike LaFleur – he spent 2019 camp with the 49ers, then most of 2020 on the practice squad but was elevated for two games – meaning he was likely familiar with the offense.
Prior to Sunday, Walter had two career NFL touches - one carry for three yards and one catch for 27 yards - that both came in the 49ers' loss to New Orleans last Nov. 15.
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