New York Jets Running Back Bilal Powell on Track to Play This Sunday Against the Dolphins
Bilal Powell is going to suit up for the New York Jets when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
The seventh-year running back was a full participant in Thursday's practice and Jets head coach Todd Bowles has confirmed that Powell is ready to return to the football field this weekend after he was held out of last Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
Powell injured his calf in the second quarter of their game against the Cleveland Browns earlier this month and his status for Sunday's game was uncertain prior to Thursday's practice.
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"That does a lot," two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forté said of Powell's return, via the Jets' official website. "You just see what Bilal can do, as well in the passing game but in the running game. He has a little different style of running but has great vision and explosiveness. He adds another threat to our running game," he continued.
Forté also had to deal with a turf toe and it forced him to miss two games this season.
With Powell back, Elijah McGuire's snap count should decrease significantly. The rookie running back has played well in the backfield when Forté and Powell were sidelined with their respective injuries.
The Jets' top running backs are finally available for the first time since their week three game against the Dolphins, but they will have to grind out a win on Sunday.
"It's going to be tough. Especially at their place, it's going to be tough. They play the run very well and they play it with a seven- or eight-man box, so either way we're just going to have to grind it out and hope we can break something late," Bowles said, according to the team's official website.
Meanwhile, Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson may have to sit out this Sunday's game while he continues to deal with injuries to his shoulder and foot. Wilkerson hasn't missed a game this season, but he has been struggling.
