Jets running back Breece Hall strains groin at practice. Tests planned, but Aaron Glenn optimistic

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall strained his groin during practice Monday and will have tests to determine the severity of the injury.

Coach Aaron Glenn appeared cautiously optimistic after practice that Hall’s injury wasn't serious.

“I don’t think it was a big deal,” he said, “but I want to make sure I get the evaluation on that.”

Hall, the team’s top running back coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, caught a pass late in the practice session, pulled up and fell to the rain-slicked grass. He got up and walked gingerly to the sideline, where trainers appeared to be examining his upper right thigh/abdomen area.

“My stomach dropped a little bit, for sure,” backup running back Braelon Allen said. “From the sound of it, it don't seem too serious, so hope we can get him back as quickly as possible.”

The 25-year-old Hall is considered a key to New York’s offense. He received a three-year contract extension in the offseason from the Jets worth up to $45.75 million. The team had used the franchise tag on Hall, whose contract — which will pay him $15.25 million per year — made him the third-highest paid running back in the NFL at the time.

Hall ran for a career-high 1,065 yards last season despite missing the final game with a knee ailment, becoming the first Jets player to top 1,000 yards rushing in a season since Chris Ivory in 2015. The 2022 second-round draft pick from Iowa State has 1,000 yards from scrimmage in three straight seasons, making him just the sixth player — and fifth running back — in franchise history to accomplish that feat.

If Hall needs to miss some time, the Jets' backfield will be a bit short-handed. Isaiah Davis, a fifth-round pick in 2024, is sidelined with what Glenn has said is a minor knee injury. Allen, Kene Nwangwu and undrafted rookies Sam Scott and Chip Trayanum are the other running backs on New York's roster.

“Injuries are a part of this league,” Glenn said. “It's the biggest equalizer in this league. I think as a coach, obviously you don't want to see any of your players go down, but you also have to continue to move forward.”

Allen, who was limited to four games with a knee injury last season, would step into the starter's role if Hall is out for any practices and the two remaining preseason games. The 2024 fourth-rounder said it was a “sigh of relief” to run for a 31-yard touchdown in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay on Saturday night, showing he's healthy.

"I know that most people think that, that once you lose a starter, there's a huge drop-off," Glenn said. “I like to look at it like all of our guys are starters.”

Quarterback Geno Smith was back on the practice field after sitting out the preseason opener with a sore ankle.

Smith wore a sleeve on his lower left leg and walked with a slight limp. He participated in team drills, but it's uncertain if he'll play in New York's preseason game at Pittsburgh on Friday night.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson didn't practice because of a stomach illness, Glenn said.

Wilson caught two passes from rookie Cade Klubnik for 32 yards in one series in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. Glenn said the star receiver came in and was vomiting Monday, but “he'll be fine.”

Linebacker Mykal Walker injured a calf. Rookie cornerback Mory Bamba, who was one of the standouts against the Buccaneers with four passes defensed, has a knee injury that Glenn said will sideline him a few weeks.

Cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers, who is in the concussion protocol after passing out during practice last week and briefly being hospitalized, was working in the rehabilitation area.

Linebacker Demario Davis and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick got the day off from practice for veteran rest days.

Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat practiced for the first time in training camp after being activated Saturday from the non-football injury list with a hamstring ailment.

Sweat was acquired from Tennessee during the offseason for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. The 6-foot-4, 366-pound run-stuffing presence is expected to help anchor the defensive line. He was taken 38th overall by the Titans in 2024 out of Texas, and had three sacks and 85 total tackles in 29 games, including 28 starts, in Tennessee.

“Obviously, he's a big man and he has the ability to take up two gaps,” Glenn said. “When you're able to do that as a big man, it allows the linebackers to get a chance to run, and also he’s going to take up two blockers, which means, they're missing a blocker on someone — that’s the reason why he’s here."

Edge rusher Joseph Ossai also practiced after beginning camp on the physically unable to perform list.

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