Jets RB Michael Carter could play Sunday against Minnesota
Jets running back Michael Carter before a game against the Bears at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
The Jets were relieved that running back Michael Carter avoided an injury that would have kept him out for multiple weeks.
Robert Saleh said Carter suffered a low-ankle sprain in the Jets’ 31-10 win over Chicago and is day-to-day. There is a chance that he will be able to play Sunday against Minnesota. Had it been a high-ankle sprain, Carter would have missed time.
The Jets already are without leading rusher Bryce Hall, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 7.
Saleh said he will have more information Wednesday on Carter and other players who left the game. Safety Ashtyn Davis (hamstring), right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (groin) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (hamstring) also are questionable this week.
“They all have a chance to make it [on Sunday], so that part is encouraging,” Saleh said.
The Jets turned to undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson to pick up the slack after Carter got hurt in the first half. Knight rushed for 69 yards and Johnson ran for 62 and a touchdown.
Saleh chose to play Knight over newly acquired James Robinson, a former 1,000-yard rusher. Knight finished with 103 scrimmage yards in his NFL debut, becoming the third undrafted rookie to surpass 100 yards in his first game. It sounds as if he could get another shot this weekend.
“Everyone saw Bam had some fresh legs,” Saleh said. “He was juicy as a runner, getting north and south . . . He gets north and south quick. He’s a one-cut runner, which is kind of the staple of our scheme, and he played fast, he played physical, lot of effort to gain yards after contact.”
Saleh reiterated that Robinson’s “story is not over.”
Johnson delivers
Johnson had a season-high six touches and finished with 72 scrimmage yards. His 32-yard touchdown run was his first TD since Week 16 last year.
“Whatever the job is, I’ll go in there and just do what I do no matter what the opportunity is,” he said. “Just got to take your shot and let it hang out.”
Johnson said he remained patient and confident that when he got his opportunity, he would produce.
“I know I can play at the end of the day,” he said. “Whether anyone else thinks that or not, I know deep down I can play. Other people know I can play. I got a chance yesterday. I had high-percent belief and faith in myself. It was just a matter of time when you get that op, and when you get that op, you make the most of it.”
Right man
Saleh didn’t plan on playing Max Mitchell, just activated from IR, on Sunday, but the injury to Ogbuehi made him go to Mitchell. He ended up playing 54 of 63 offensive snaps.
“For Max,” Saleh said, “he’s back where he belongs.”
Right tackle George Fant could be in a similar situation. Fant, whose injury gave Mitchell a shot, is getting close to being activated. Saleh said the Jets will decide Fant’s status at the end of the week.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
