Breece Hall’s quad injury is not as significant as feared. The New York Jets star running back, who went down late in the fourth quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, is considered week to week after his MRI delivered encouraging results, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Hall took a nasty hit along the sideline in Detroit, went down in extreme pain, and was unable to return. The way it looked in real time had Jets fans bracing for the worst. The fact that it’s a week-to-week timeline is about as good as you could have hoped for. Especially given the circumstances.

What Hall means to the Jets offense

Make no mistake, Breece Hall is the engine of this Jets offense. Through three games, Hall has carried the ball 51 times for 163 yards, averaging 3.2 yards a carry. He currently sits at 21st in the league in rushing yards. He’s also caught all 10 of his targets for 102 yards through the air. Hall has always been one of the most versatile backs in the league. The Jets desperately need him back on the field sooner rather than later.

Hall’s ability to contribute both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield makes him nearly impossible to replace. New York has shown some real offensive firepower through three weeks, and Hall is a massive reason why. The run game hasn’t fully been unlocked yet (3.2 yards per carry), but with Hall in the backfield, anything is possible. 

Who fills in while Hall is out?

The Jets could be without Hall for their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears, which means the next-man-up mentality kicks in. New York’s remaining backs on the active roster are Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, as well as Kene Nwangwu, who is primarily a return man but missed yesterday’s game. The Jets also have Al-Jay Henderson on the practice squad. We could see him be elevated in the meantime to provide additional depth.

None of those options replicate what Hall brings, but the Jets don’t need a one-for-one replacement. They need enough production to stay competitive until their star gets back. Which again, could just be for one week, if that. 

The Chicago Bears kick off tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. They’ll have to deal with a tough backfield in Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. So far through two games, the Bears have given up 4.9 yards per carry. It would be great to see Hall out there this coming Sunday. If he isn’t able to go, there is still great opportunity for Allen and Davis.

The bigger picture

I think the overall takeaway here is simple: this is great news for a Jets team that has competed through three weeks and looks like a legitimate squad. Losing Breece Hall to an injury would have been a significant blow to a squad that’s finally starting to put things together offensively. A week-to-week timeline means there’s a real chance Hall is back sooner rather than later, and that’s a big deal for New York’s season outlook.