Gase is finding ways to get Le’Veon going
While Le’Veon Bell continues to chase his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, the Jets have figured out other ways to get their top playmaker involved.
On the first play from the line of scrimmage in Sunday’s 34-3 win over the Raiders, Bell lined up in the slot and made a highlight-reel, one-handed catch with a safety on his back for a 23-yard gain.
“Just trying to find different ways to use him,” coach Adam Gase said Wednesday. “I think the last couple weeks, we’ve got him out in some space and got him the ball and let him go do his thing. I think that’s worked out well.”
Gase cited the increased number of plays the offense has had to work with for allowing him to open up the playbook.
The Jets had high expectations for their offense, and though they have started to show it in recent weeks, getting Bell in a groove on the ground could make it even more dangerous.
“We had a couple good holes that he was able to hit and kind of get to that second level and you can see when the secondary guys get around his legs, he’s stepping through a lot of that stuff,” Gase said. “It’s a big man running in an open field.”
➤ Sam Darnold showed up on the injury report Wednesday with a knee issue, but practiced fully with a sleeve on his knee.
CB Darryl Roberts (calf ) and S Matthias Farley (quad) took a step forward by practicing in a limited fashion. Neither had practiced since Week 10.
DE Henry Anderson (shoulder), LT Kelvin Beachum ( both ankles), LB Brandon Copeland (hip/ thumb), OL Alex Lewis (elbow), DL Steve McLendon (neck) and WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) were also limited. OT Chuma Edoga (knee),
LB C.J. Mosley (groin) and LB Paul Worrilow (quad) did not practice.
Meanwhile, DL John Franklin-Myers and OL Brent Qvale (knee) — both on injured reserve — returned to practice. The Jets have 21 days to activate them or they will remain on IR for the rest of the season.
➤ The Jets will get their day started a little earlier Thursday so that players can go home right after practice for Thanksgiving.
Gase was not as certain that he would be able to make it home to eat and watch football.
“We’ll see. Every year’s different,” he said. “Some years I get out of here, some years I don’t.”
➤ Beachum and OL James Murray, along with former Jet Erik Coleman and Berkeley College, teamed up on Tuesday to unload more than 100 turkeys and feed more than 400 New Yorkers at Food Bank’s Community Kitchen in Harlem.