The NY Jets should have Chris Ivory healthy for Week 8 and ready to start after the running back dealt with a hamstring injury Sunday, but if not, players like Zac Stacy and Stevan Ridley could be potential replacement options. Ridley may return from the PUP list next week, while Nick Mangold had x-rays come back negative for his neck injury.
The Jets lost to the Patriots on Sunday, but the team was able to play to-to-toe with their division rivals for most of the game and that could carry over for New York into Week 8. The defense has been one of the best in the league and Todd Bowles will continue to push pressure and turnovers on that side of the ball after falling to New England. The Jets avoided a scare in the game with Nick Mangold, as the center underwent testing on his neck after suffering an injury.
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Mangold underwent x-rays after the game and those tests came back negative for a serious injury. Mangold may have some more tests and could be limited this week in practice, but so far the signs are good that Mangold avoided a serious injury. Mangold was able to walk off the field on his own after the injury. Mangold is hoping to not miss a game for the team, as Mangold has been very durable during his career, missing just three games in 10 seasons.
The Jets have been running the ball well this season, but against the Patriots the team had a tough time getting things going. Chris Ivory has been excellent this year, but he was limited on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, according to Rich Cimini at ESPN. Ivory had nearly 200 total yards last week, but this week he had just 41 yards rushing and that was because he was hampered by the injury.
According to the New York Daily News, Ivory said that he will be "ready" for next week against the Raiders, but there is a chance he could be limited in practice. Ivory should start next week, but fantasy owners with worry could go after Zac Stacy or Stevan Ridley on the wire. Ridley has not yet returned from the PUP list, but he is close and it could come next week if he continues to make progress. Bilal Powell was out with an ankle injury and Stacy came in and had seven rushes for 19 yards against the Patriots.
Stacy could back up Ivory next week if Powell is out again. Ivory has been one of the most consistent rushers in football this season and he is averaging over 100 yards per game. Ivory has 501 yards and four touchdowns this season and he has also added eight catches and a receiving TD for the Jets.
