Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook will play in Jets' opener against Bills
Jets running backs Breece Hall, left, and Dalvin Cook. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
The Jets are ready to unleash their dynamic 1-2 backfield punch.
Running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook will play when the Jets open the season on Monday night against the Bills. Neither has practiced much or played in the preseason. Robert Saleh said the Jets will be “smart” in how they use Hall and Cook and that both will be featured.
“I don’t know if I want to call it a snap count, but we are going to be smart with them,” Saleh said on a Zoom call Monday. “We’ll continue to evaluate and build up what we think Monday needs to be.
“It’s not that we’re putting a snap count on them. They’re two really good football players. Michael Carter is a really good football player, too. It’s just trying to find a way to feature all of them along with the receivers and tight ends that we have. There’s going to be enough to go around.”
The Jets could have the best running back tandem in the NFL.
Cook has made the Pro Bowl the past four seasons. Hall led the Jets in rushing and finished third on the team in total scrimmage yards as a rookie despite missing the final 10 games after suffering an ACL tear.
Hall was the only Jet who didn’t practice Monday. Saleh said there’s nothing to worry about and “it’s just part of the maintenance program.”
The Jets signed Cook on Aug. 16. He is coming off shoulder surgery and practiced for the first time as a Jet last week.
Captains named
The players voted on team captains and there were no surprises.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, linebacker C.J. Mosley and special teams ace Justin Hardee were voted captains. The coaches will appoint a fourth one each game.
Ready and able
The Jets are going into Week 1 relatively injury-free. Rookie defensive end Will McDonald returned to practice. Saleh said McDonald missed Thursday’s practice because he was having his wisdom teeth pulled. Saleh said everyone should be “good to go.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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