Halfway through the season, the Jets are used to playing without key players due to injury, but don't expect Le'Veon Bell to fall into that category. A definitive answer on Bell's status Sunday against the Giants is still unknown, but Gang Green is optimistic their running back will play after an MRI showed no structural damage to his knee/ankle.
Bell was held out of practice Wednesday for precautionary reasons, but according to head coach Adam Gase, the running back was eager to participate.
"He was trying to practice today," Gase told reporters Wednesday morning. "We were discouraging that. We thought it would not be the right thing for him to do to go out there and practice. So, he finally was like, 'You're right. I probably should stay inside and work on it.' So, I think he's going to be alright. He's just really sore right now."
The injury for Bell likely occurred last Sunday, when he was tackled five-yards behind the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Dolphins. Bell continued to play the rest of the game in what turned out to be an embarrassing loss to their Miami rival.
Gang Green's $52 million running back finished with a total of 111 yards against the Dolphins, 66 rushing and 55 receiving. Through eight games with his new team, Bell has just 415 rushing yards, while averaging a career worst 3.3 yards per attempt. The Jets have also been questioned in their usage of Bell, handing him the ball more than 20 times just once this season as their offense continues to sputter.
The Jets signed second-year running back Josh Adams off their practice squad Tuesday, which reportedly was not in response to Bell's injury. Adams gained 511 yards on the ground for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
