With Le’Veon Bell gone, a significant amount of carries are available in the Jets run game. Frank Gore has been the starter for much of the season when Bell was injured, but it appears that rookie running back La’Mical Perine is going to get a heavy dosage of carries in the coming weeks.
Head coach Adam Gase said that Perine will get an opportunity now that Bell is gone:
“The group of guys able to play in this game is a good mix of veterans and young players,” coach Adam Gase said Thursday of his backfield, via the team’s official website. “We want these young guys playing … the more experience they get the better.”
“He doesn’t say a whole bunch,” Gase said of Perine. “He’s quiet. He’s in Frank’s hip pocket all the time. He loves the opportunity and wants to be involved in the game. Everyone wants to see it, we saw a lot of good stuff in camp before he got injured.
“Perine’s definitely going to get a bigger role. Frank, you’re not going to lean on him as heavy a load. Getting Perine really involved is going to be critical for us.”
Gore, Perine, and Ty Johnson are the current backs on the depth chart. Josh Adams is also on the practice squad. Of course, that can change at any time. Kalen Ballage is around the corner at any time.
Thus far, the fourth-round pick from Florida has 15 carries for 56 yards. There’s an opportunity for more work because Gore hasn’t produced. The 37-year-old Gore is averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Could Perine be the running back of the future in New York? Now is his chance to prove it.
