Fears of Hall ACL tear devastate teammates

DENVER — Still in full uniform, Michael Carter was quietly sitting alone inside his stall in the visitors’ locker room after the Jets had overcome the Broncos, 16-9, Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

When the second-year running back was informed by The Post that head coach Robert Saleh minutes before said the team fears rookie running back Breece Hall tore an anterior cruciate knee ligament in the second quarter, Carter grimaced and said, “Oh f--k.’’

“My first reaction when I saw him on the ground holding his knee was you don’t ever want to see a running back holding their knee,’’ Carter said. “It hurt me. For him to leave the game, yeah, it shook me up. I tried to get my head back in the game, because I do care about him a lot. I had a prayer with him after the game, wished him the best and am praying for him.

“It’s hard to explain how I feel right now. I really hope he’s OK.’’

Saleh’s assessment after the game sounded grim.

“Breece doesn’t look good,’’ Saleh said. “The initial diagnosis is not good, but we’ll see [Monday]. I’m going to stay optimistic as I can for him. He’s a heck of a football player.’’

Hall, for whom the Jets traded up in the second round to draft in April, had already grown into the team’s most dynamic offensive player. He provided the one highlightfilm clip on Sunday with a 62-yard rushing touchdown that gave the Jets a 7-0 firstquarter lead.

“Breece is obviously great with the ball in space,’’ quarterback Zach Wilson said. “You see the way he hits it. I think those runs show when you are able to get a hold of a guy that’s that explosive and powerful, he can take it all the way.

“Unfortunately, it’s part of the NFL, right?’’ Wilson said of the injury. “Nextman-up mentality, guys got to take advantage of their opportunities.’’

Hall was on his way to possibly becoming the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. In seven games, he’s rushed for 463 yards and four TDs — numbers that had him on a pace to finish with 1,122 yards and between nine and 10 TDs.

“When we lose great football players, it’s not good, but we also have a lot of faith in Ty Johnson and Michael Carter and Bam [Zonovan] Knight, who is a rookie,’’ Saleh said. “He’ll get his opportunity. There’s a lot of guys out there on our team.’’