NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets' struggling offense could be without wide receiver Jamison Crowder against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Crowder sat out practice Thursday with a hamstring injury, leaving his availability for the game uncertain. Crowder was limited at practice Wednesday, but the Jets want to be cautious with their leading receiver.
“We'll be evaluating him further and see where that takes us,” coach Adam Gase said.
Crowder had his first 100-yard receiving game for the Jets in the season opener last Sunday at Buffalo when he caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. He had a career-high 78 receptions last season in his first season with the Jets and has become a favorite target of Sam Darnold. Crowder was targeted 13 times against the Bills.
The wide receiver was listed on the injury report last week with a hamstring issue, but practiced fully every day. Gase said Crowder was running earlier this week and “kind of pulled up."
“He gets tight sometimes,” Gase said. “Obviously, he's missing practice today, so we need to make sure that he's good before we put him out there.”
Gase did not think Crowder was a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least three games.
The Jets were hurt all training camp by injuries to wide receivers, and Crowder was one of the few who stayed healthy all summer. Rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims is on injured reserve, also with a hamstring issue. Vyncint Smith remains sidelined after having surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
New York's only healthy receivers on the active roster are Breshad Perriman, Chris Hogan and Braxton Berrios. Josh Malone, Lawrence Cager, D.J. Montgomery and Jaleel Scott are on the practice squad. Malone could be elevated for the second straight week.
Running back Le'Veon Bell is on IR with a hamstring injury, but rookie La'Mical Perine could be closer to a return. He has been sidelined since injuring his ankle on Aug. 30, but Gase said Perine might participate in individual drills — a positive sign. He was limited Thursday after not participating Wednesday.
Frank Gore, who got a rest day at practice, is expected to start at running back against the 49ers. Newly signed Kalen Ballage is the only other healthy running back on the active roster, although Josh Adams could be elevated again from the practice squad.
Rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton appears to be “fine,” according to Gase, after he was limited Wednesday with a sore knee. Becton practiced fully Thursday.
Gase said the Jets plan to increase linebacker Avery Williamson's workload in practice after he sat out last week with a hamstring injury. He was limited for the second straight day.
Linebacker Tarell Basham was a new addition to the injury report as a limited participant with a hip issue.
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