Jets hurting at running back as Crowell, McGuire and Cannon miss practice
Isaiah Crowell #20 of the New York Jets runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Brett Carlsen
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets’ running backs for Tuesday’s practice were De’Angelo Henderson and Mark Thompson, names that might not ring a bell given that they are members of the practice squad.
But coach Todd Bowles did not have much choice, what with Bilal Powell on injured reserve and Isaiah Crowell (toe), Eli McGuire (ankle) and Trenton Cannon (toe) all having sat out because of injuries.
Asked whether he is worried about the position, Bowles said, “I will be by Friday if they don’t practice.” (The next game is Saturday against the Texans.)
Bowles said none of the injuries is serious enough to rule out a player yet, but Crowell wore a boot on his left foot in the locker room, then hobbled out after a brief chat with reporters.
Crowell declined to go into detail about his toe injury, citing Bowles’ policy on such matters. But he did admit it was “excruciating” when it first happened against the Bills on Sunday.
If Crowell does not play on Saturday, it will be the first time he misses a game because of injury in his five-year NFL career.
“I’ve never missed time before, so I don’t know how it feels,” he said. “But it comes with the game. It is what it is.” He added, “A lot of pride goes into [the playing streak].”
Might running backs coach Stump Mitchell, 59, who was a 1,000-yard rusher for the Cardinals in 1985, have a few more carries in him if called upon in an emergency?
“He may be able to dive over the top on the [one] inch line,” Bowles joked.
Also not practicing on Tuesday were receiver Quincy Enunwa (ankle) and linebackers Jordan Jenkins (shoulder/ankle) and Jeremiah Attaochu (concussion).
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
