Jets coach Robert Saleh on RB Breece Hall: ‘There is no pitch count with him anymore’

NEW YORK — During the season’s first four games, Jets running back Breece Hall had just 32 total carries.

But the second-year running back could receive more touches beginning this weekend against the Broncos.

“From an opportunity standpoint, there is no pitch count with him anymore,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “We would love to get him going, but at the same time, we have a lot of guys we went to get the ball to.

“Garrett [Wilson] is a special player, Allen [Lazard] showed how good he can be. Xavier Gipson showed up in the game, the three tight ends that we have are all pretty darn good. We just have to find a way to distribute the ball the way that’s best for the team and making sure we are scoring points.”

The Jets wanted to limit Hall’s touches after he suffered an ACL injury last October in a game at Denver, coincidentally, the same opponent the team will play this weekend. Hall was limited during OTAs and a better part of training camp.

Because of the extent of injury, Hall didn’t play during the preseason, as the Jets put him on a pitch count to begin the season. He has rushed for 32 carries for 210 yards while averaging 6.6 yards per rush in four games. That was a major reason why the Jets signed Dalvin Cook in August to a one-year, $7 million contract.

The thinking was Hall and Cook would team up to be arguably the best running back tandem in the NFL, but that has yet to be the case at the quarterpoint of the season. While Hall has made the most of his carries, Cook, after signing with the team late through training camp, has 74 yards on 30 carries as he is averaging 2.5 yards per carry, which would be the worst during his seven-year carry.

“He’s coming along,” Saleh said. “Remember, he didn’t have OTAs, he didn’t have training camp. He’s still getting his legs underneath him. Obviously, I’m sure he wants more production. He needs to continue to work. He’s getting faster, his GPS numbers are showing he’s getting a lot faster.

“We just need to find those guys a little bit more opportunities. We knew it was going to be hard, but last week I felt like it was an opportunity to get not just the both of them, but at the same time Zach was dealing and we were moving the ball pretty well in the style we were operating in. I’m sure it’s an adjustment for him, but he’s trending in the right direction.”

Reed in concussion protocol, Echols out

Jets starting cornerback D.J. Reed is in concussion protocol as he did not practice on Wednesday. However, Saleh is optimistic that Reed will be cleared to play against the Broncos.

The news isn’t so good for Brandin Echols, as he will be out after suffering a hamstring during Sunday’s loss against the Chiefs.

Because the Jets are thin in the secondary, the team worked out free agent Terrance Mitchell, according to NFL Network. Mitchell has played with eight different teams including with the Titans last year as he appeared in 11 games.

He joined the 49ers during training camp in July, but he was placed on injured reserve in August with an undisclosed injury. San Francisco later reached an injury settlement with Mitchell.

Safety Tony Adams, guard Wes Schweitzer and linebacker Sam Eguavoen were limited. Adams sustained a hamstring injury in the Jets Week 2 loss against the Cowboys. He missed games against the Patriots and Chiefs.

Schweitzer also missed the last two games as he was recovering from a concussion.

Warren, Bernard-Converse return

Two of the Jets recent draft picks have begun practice again.

Jets tackle Carter Warren and defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse practiced on Wednesday after both players suffered injuries. Warren was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Pittsburgh. After receiving 43 snaps during the preseason Hall of Fame game against the Browns, Warren was put on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.

Bernard-Converse was placed on the PUP list on July 19 after being seen with a boot on his left foot during training camp. He was selected in the sixth round of LSU as Bernard-Converse registered 240 tackles, 175 solo stops, 31 pass break ups, four interceptions and two forced fumbles.