BIG BLOW FOR BILAL
Neck injury could be career ender for longest tenured Jet
Bilal Powell’s career might be over after he suffered a neck injury Sunday that will require season-ending surgery.
The Jets on Tuesday placed the veteran running back on IR.
Todd Bowles delivered the sobering news that it’s “possible” that Powell’s injury, which is similar to the disc issue that shelved Quincy Enunwa all of last season, might end his playing days.
“We’ll see. I don’t know,” Bowles said. “Football wise… Bilal’s one of the hardest workers on this team. It’s a big blow from that standpoint, but you worry more about the person.”
Powell, the longest tenured Jets player in his eighth season, was hurt after getting tackled by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr in the first half of Gang Green’s loss on Sunday. Powell, who will turn 30 on Saturday, has had neck issues and stingers in the past.
“It’s not the first time it’s come up,” Bowles said. “It’s been a recurring injury. This time it just happened to be bad.
Powell had 343 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry) this year as part of the Jets 1-2 backfield punch with Isaiah Crowell. He had 5,013 total yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. He’s scheduled to be a free agent after this season.
“B.P.’s so respected in this locker room,” Sam Darnold said. “He’s such a great guy to have on the team. That’s first and foremost. Second, as a player, he’s amazing as well. It just sucks in general to see that happen to anyone, but especially B.P. It hurts a little bit.”
The Jets, already ravaged by injuries at wide receiver and defensive back, are down to Isaiah Crowell and rookie Trenton Cannon in their backfield for now. Eli McGuire is back practicing with the team and eligible to return in Week 9 against the Dolphins.
INJURY UPDATE
Seven starters didn’t practice on Wednesday: LB Darron Lee (illness), CB Mo Claiborne (shoulder/foot), C Spencer Long (knee/finger), WR Robby Anderson (ankle), CB Trumaine Johnson (quad), LT Kelvin Beachum (back) and WR Quincy Enunwa (ankle).
Marcus Maye was a limited participant in practice for the first time since breaking his thumb two weeks ago. It’s too early to tell whether he’ll be able to play Sunday. The Jets are thin at safety after Doug Middleton was placed on I.R. this week with a torn pec. Gang Green signed safety Ibraheim Campbell Wednesday to take Powell’s roster spot.
“It’s a pain level thing,” Bowles said of Maye. “He’s just out there running around right now. We haven’t gotten into the logistics of what he can and can’t do yet.”
SKRINE STILL IN PROTOCOL
Cornerback Buster Skrine, who has missed the past two games, was a limited participant in practice, but remains in the concussion protocol.
JOHNSON: NO PRESSURE
Johnson, sidelined for the past three weeks with a quad injury, doesn’t feel any additional pressure to play because of his blockbuster five-year, $72.5 million contract signed during free agency.
“It’s a freakish injury,” Johnson said. “I want to go out there and definitely help my team win. With the position I play, I got to be out there at least with a (high) percentage of playing.”