Chris Ivory has been the x-factor for the New York Jets. The running back is having a career year as he has been the safety blanket for Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, he was merely human against the New England Patriots having one of his quietest games of the year. Ivory blamed a hamstring injury that the Jets could be concerned might linger for the next few weeks.
According to Ivory via the New York Post, a hamstring injury kept him limited against New England. The running back finished with just 41 yards against the Patriots. Facing the team win a below-average run defense, Ivory was expected to have a big game for the Jets, but instead he simply could not get going against the rivalry team and that was a big factor in the loss.
"I felt it getting a little tight on the first play," Ivory said, via NJ.com. "The hammy wasn't warm enough. Towards the second half, I got a little loose. I tried to get going a little too early without being as warm as I usually am. I didn't want to pull it. As far as getting around the edge, I didn't feel like I had the ability to get around the corner. I didn't feel like I had it, going around the corner. I know at times, I probably could've taken the corner, but I didn't have it in me."
The Jets have to hope this injury is not serious. Ivory told the media that he expects to be fine as he did not pull or strain the hamstring, but there should be some concern around the running back. The Jets were incredibly one-sided against New England and it showed in dropped passes and mistakes. The Jets do have Zac Stacy who put up 19 yards in the loss and Stevan Ridley who is working to get healthy after a knee injury. The team has running back depth, but no one as good as Ivory.
With Ivory out, Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall did their best to carry the team. While both receivers made their catches, it was Jeremy Kerley with the lone receiver touchdown. Much has been made of Kerley's future with the Jets as players like Chris Owusu and Devin Smith overshadow him. However, in Week 7 Kerley proved his worth and it is something that could continue if he can keep up with the momentum.
"I feel like I am a quarterback's best friend," Kerley said, via ESPN.com. "I don't know, that's how I feel. I just feel like I move differently than everybody else out on the field. Everybody is different, everybody brings different talents to the game. I feel like my intangible is my ability to create separation and that is at the line of scrimmage. I don't try to play outside myself. I know how to play within myself and use what I have to my advantage."
