NEW YORK (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the decision says the New York Jets will place running back Le’Veon Bell on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Bell was hurt in the second quarter of the Jets’ season-opening 27-17 loss at Buffalo on Sunday.
He will miss at least the next three games, and be eligible to return to the active roster in Week 5. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move. NFL Network first reported that Bell would be placed on IR.
With Bell sidelined, 37-year-old Frank Gore is the team’s only healthy running back on the active roster. Josh Adams was elevated from the practice squad and played against the Bills. He is likely to be elevated again this week. As part of this year’s rules changes, players can be elevated twice from a team’s practice squad and returned without passing through waivers.
Rookie fourth-rounder La’Mical Perine has been sidelined the past few weeks with an ankle injury, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be healthy enough to play Sunday in the home opener against San Francisco. The Jets could opt to sign another player to give them depth at the position.
Coach Adam Gase said Monday he didn’t want to put a timetable on Bell’s return, but said it was possible it could take some time because it’s a soft-tissue injury.
Bell was hurt on an incomplete pass late in the second quarter on a play during which Bills linebacker A.J. Klein was penalized for holding after he got tied up with Bell. The running back landed awkwardly and grabbed at the back of his left leg before heading to the sideline.
He returned for the second half, with his left leg wrapped, but was removed shortly into the third quarter. Bell finished with six carries for 14 yards and two receptions for 32 yards in the 27-17 loss.
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