As the New York Jets prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears on September 29, 2026, the team is grappling with a significant setback: star running back Breece Hall is considered week-to-week with a quad injury. According to reports from NFL Network and ESPN, the injury is not as severe as initially feared, but Hall will likely miss Sunday's game, forcing the Jets to adjust their offensive approach. The Jets, currently riding a two-game losing streak, will need to find a way to generate a ground attack without their most dynamic playmaker.
Next Men Up: Allen and Davis to Carry the Load
With Hall sidelined, the Jets will turn to second-year back Braelon Allen and third-year pro Isaiah Davis. Allen, 22, has averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 129 career attempts, while Davis, 24, boasts a 5.6-yard average on 73 career carries but has yet to record a rush this season. Head coach Aaron Glenn expressed confidence in his backups, stating, "We have Braelon, we have Isaiah, but I've never been the type of coach that blamed games or issues on injuries. It's a play style more than anything else that gets you over the hump." The Jets may also be without left guard Dylan Parham, who is dealing with a knee injury, further complicating an already struggling offensive line.
Offensive Line Woes Compound Issues
Even with Hall and Parham healthy, the Jets' ground game has been abysmal. After rushing for just 58 yards on 19 carries against the Detroit Lions, New York ranks 26th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (92.3) and 30th in yards per carry (3.3). Hall himself has averaged only 2.1 yards per carry since a 102-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. "That's one area we have to fix," Glenn admitted. "We have to have urgency of trying to make sure we get that done … To have these two games where we didn't run it as well, that's something we have to dial into to make sure we get those things fixed." The offensive line's pass protection has also been porous, allowing nine sacks through three games—tied for third-most in the league—and five sacks with 24 pressures against Detroit. Right tackle Armand Membou emphasized the need for cohesion: "It starts with playing as five. All five need to be on the same page and play more as one."
Defensive End Joseph Ossai Struggles in Debut
On the defensive side, the Jets welcomed back Joseph Ossai, who made his debut against the Lions after missing most of training camp and suffering a foot injury in late August. However, the 26-year-old defensive end, signed to a three-year, $34.5 million deal in March, failed to record a pressure and assisted on just two tackles. "A lot of things to work on," Ossai said. "I haven't played ball in a while now. You can try and do everything you can in rehab and in practice, but there's nothing like a game. Regardless of how it went for me or how I think it went, it was good to be out there playing the game of football, so I'm thankful for that." He added, "[The injuries have] been extremely frustrating, but we are on a climb up moving forward and one day at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day."
Looking Ahead to Chicago
As the Jets prepare to face the Bears at Soldier Field, the pressure is on to fix a running game that has been a liability. Without Hall, Allen and Davis must step up, and the offensive line must find a way to open holes. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Jets' ability to establish the run will be crucial in keeping quarterback Geno Smith upright and sustaining drives. With the season still young, there is time to turn things around, but the margin for error is shrinking. As Coach Glenn said, "It's a play style more than anything else that gets you over the hump." For the Jets, that play style must emerge quickly.
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