Jets expect RB Breece Hall (knee) back against Jaguars

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  • Rich Cimini, ESPN staff writerDecember 13, 2024, 3:59 PM ET

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      Rich Cimini is a staff writer covering the New York Jets and the NFL on ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years and joined ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He is a former beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him on Twitter @RichCimini.

After sitting out a week with a knee injury, running back Breece Hall is expected to be back in the New York Jets’ lineup when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.

“He’s looking good right now, so that’s promising,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Friday after practice.

It didn’t look that way midweek, when the Jets’ leading rusher “struggled a little bit,” according to Ulbrich. But Hall was a full participant when he returned to practice Friday and is listed as questionable for the struggling Jets (3-10), who have lost four straight.

Chances are Hall will have a reduced role against the Jaguars, especially with the emergence of rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who combined for 148 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in last week’s 32-26 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Hall injured his surgically repaired left knee Nov. 17 against the Indianapolis Colts — a hyperextension with an MCL problem, Ulbrich said. Hall rested the Nov. 24 bye, then aggravated it Dec. 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, causing him to miss last week.

He lost a fumble in the 26-21 loss to the Seahawks, took the blame for the defeat and said, “This year has probably been the most trying year of my life.” Hall, who predicted a 1,000-yard rushing season, has just 692 yards and a career-high six fumbles (one lost). He only has one 100-yard rushing game along with one 100-yard receiving game.

The Jets are thin at running back. Kene Nwangwu, who scored on a 99-yard kickoff return two weeks ago, is on injured reserve with a broken hand.

They could also be bumped up at cornerback, with DJ Reed (groin) listed as questionable and Brandin Echols (shoulder) out. The Jets are hoping Reed can play against the Jaguars. If not, Qwan’tez Stiggers, a 2024 draft pick who played last season in the CFL, could make his NFL starting debut. Starting corner Sauce Gardner returns after missing one game with a hamstring injury.