New York Jets running back Breece Hall sustained a groin strain during a recent training camp practice, an injury the team is downplaying as potentially minor. Head coach Robert Saleh indicated the diagnosis is a strain, aiming to quell concerns of a more significant issue.
Hall left practice after catching a swing pass, grabbing his upper right leg and limping to the training table. An MRI reportedly confirmed the strain, with projections suggesting a recovery timeline of a few weeks rather than months. Dr. Daniel Kaplan, a sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, explained that a minor strain involves pulled fibers without tearing, potentially limiting quick stops and sprints but not necessarily sidelining a player for an extended period.
Kaplan estimated that a Grade 1 strain could keep a player out for 7-10 days, possibly up to two weeks, with the expectation of being ready for Week 1. He added that a player would likely undergo an intense recovery process, even if not resting entirely.
The injury comes at a sensitive time for Hall, who signed a three-year, $43.5 million extension in the offseason. Last season, he rushed for a career-high 1,056 yards and is expected to be a key component of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's run-heavy scheme. Hall has previously advocated for changing MetLife Stadium from turf to grass, though this injury occurred on the stadium's grass surface. His rookie season was also cut short by a torn ACL sustained on grass.
With Hall sidelined, the Jets will look to evaluate their running back depth. Braelon Allen, who has stepped in with the starters, expressed confidence in his own abilities and hopes for Hall's swift return. "My stomach dropped a little bit," Allen said of seeing Hall go down. "From the sound of it, it doesn’t seem too serious, so I’m hoping he gets back as quickly as possible."
Third-string running back Isaiah Davis is also dealing with a knee injury, opening opportunities for Kene Nwangwu and undrafted rookies Sam Scott and Chip Trayanum to gain carries. Despite these absences, Allen emphasized the team's commitment to establishing the run. "I’d like to say most of it," Allen said when asked about the run game's importance. "That’s what we want — the load on our shoulders. Coach Reich has made a point that we want to run the ball, so hopefully we can do a whole lot of it."