Don't Plan to See These Three Jets' Running Backs Face Giants

Gang Green missing half its ball carriers for preseason rivalry game

Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers is suiting up, but the New York Jets won't have a full variety of running back options available when they close out their preseason schedule against the New York Giants on Saturday evening at MetLife Stadium.

There are six designated ball carriers on the team's 90-man roster, but only three are expected to be active for the 6:00 pm ET kickoff on August 26.

Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook and Israel Abanikanda will not appear in Saturday's preseason finale.

"[Cook] will not play in the game. Neither will Breece [Hall]," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.

Hall is off of the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and practicing, but the second-year pro is still ramping up towards game condition after recovering from ACL surgery.

The recently-signed Cook is returning from home after the birth of his child, but won't be ready for action until next week. 

"They just had their baby. So, he’s traveling back," said Saleh on Thursday. "He wouldn’t have played this weekend anyways. We’re just getting him ready for Week 1."

Abanikanda, a fifth-round rookie, suffered an injury in the fourth quarter of the August 19 exhibition against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

"Izzy’s [Abanikanda] got a thigh contusion, got away with another one. He’s going to be a couple of weeks," said Saleh.

The expected absences of Hall, Cook and Abanikanda leave the Jets with three available running backs for Preseason Game No. 4. — Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Travis Dye.

Travis Dye (35) leads all Jets in rush attempts this preseason / © Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carter, a 2021 fourth-round draft pick, is the most experienced of the group and has seen the least amount of game action thus far this summer. He was inactive for the Hall of Fame Game and last Saturday's home tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his lone preseason appearance, Carter totaled 53 yards on six touches against the Carolina Panthers.

Knight, who appeared in seven regular season games as an undrafted rookie in 2022, has been battling to retain his roster spot. After sitting out the preseason opener in Canton, Knight carried 12 times for 46 yards over a two-game sample.

Dye, an undrafted rookie, has played in all three preseason games thus far. The roster longshot has gained 47 yards on 20 carries. He also has six catches for 30 yards.

"I’m not going to get too specific on how many spots are battling, but obviously there are spots battling and they know," said Saleh on Thursday. "Players are smart, they count numbers."

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