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Jets' Rex Ryan: Chris Ivory may get more playing time

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said running back Chris Ivory might get more playing time moving forward. The Jets have been using three running backs, which led to Ivory not touching the ball during the fourth quarter on Monday night against the Bears.
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New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said running back Chris Ivory might get more playing time moving forward, the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta reports.

The Jets have been using three running backs, which led to Ivory not touching the ball during the fourth quarter on Monday night against the Bears. Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell combined for seven touches.

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Ryan said Ivory, the team's leading rusher with 189 yards and two touchdowns, could become more of a featured player. He also said the team likes all of its running backs.

“We do have faith in all of our backs, but maybe Chris Ivory will get more time,” Rex Ryan said on Tuesday. “There’s not a whole lot of guys who want to tackle him.”

“Will we play Chris Ivory more?” Ryan said. “That’s a possibility… but it doesn’t change the fact that we believe in all three of our running backs.”

Johnson, in his first season with the team, leads the team with 35 carries, but he is only averaging 3.5 yards per carry.

“Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before we can get him rolling,” Ryan said.

The Jets have lost their last two games and are 1-2 on the season. They host the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

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- Paul Palladino