Jets running back Chris Ivory, who ranks as the team’s likely starter, continues to miss practice thanks to a hamstring injury, and this afternoon Rex Ryan admitted to thinking that Ivory would have improved more by now.
“I thought it would be progressing a little bit better than he has,” Ryan said. “Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before he gets back out there because we all want to see him but you also don’t want him to re-injure the thing. If it’s not healed, you don’t want to put him out there.”
The Jets acquired Ivory from the Saints for their 4th-round pick in this past April’s Draft. The team currently has a backfield that includes Ivory, Bilal Powell and former Raider Mike Goodson (who has not reported yet due to personal issues). Last year’s top back, Shonn Greene, signed with the Titans, so however the collection breaks down, the Jets backfield will have a new look.
The 25-year-old Ivory has not fully practiced with the Jets since training camp started, having worked only in positional drills.
“I hope to get him out there soon,” Ryan said. “He’s got his strength and everything but apparently when he would lift his leg all the way or something, he could feel it tighten. But I lean on [trainer John Mellody] for that.”