Neck injury threatens career

Powell will require surgery to address a bulging disc in his neck, an injury that could spell an end to his career, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: It's brutal news for Powell, an impending free agent whom the Jets placed on injured reserve earlier Wednesday. In his absence, Isaiah Crowell is slated to head the team's backfield, with Trenton Cannon on hand to work in a chance-of-pace role. Additionally, Elijah McGuire (foot) could also factor into the backfield mix once he's eligible to return from IR in Week 9.

Season likely over

The Jets placed Powell (neck) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Powell sustained the neck injury in the first half of Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Vikings and wasn't able to return. The Jets didn't offer much of an update on Powell's outlook following the contest, but his move to IR just a few days later implies the issue was a serious concern. Powell is technically eligible to return from IR prior to Week 16, but even if he's fully healthy two months down the road, it seems more likely the Jets will use their remaining designated-to-return spot on a player…read more

Exits game with neck injury

Powell was forced out of Sunday's game against the Vikings with a neck injury.

Analysis: He won't return to the game. Prior to his exit, Powell carried five times for 20 yards and caught one pass for five yards. Isaiah Crowell and Trenton Cannon are on handle to handle the Jets' backfield duties in Powell's absence.

Heads to locker room

Powell headed to the locker room during Sunday's game against the Vikings with an unspecified injury, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: We'll look for added context with regard to his injury, but as long as Powell is sidelined, Isaiah Crowell and Trenton Cannon will be in line for added touches in the Jets' backfield.

Slows up against Colts

Powell ran for 59 yards on 16 carries during Sunday's 42-34 win over Indianapolis.

Analysis: The Jets' rush offense collectively took a step back coming off a monster game against Denver. The unit figures to get the tougher of the two tests against Minnesota's defense on Sunday. The Vikings are averaging a solid 4.0 yards per opponent rush but have looked lost at times in the pass game. Powell, for what it is worth, offers more than running mate Isaiah Crowell as a receiver.

Gashes Denver

Powell rushed for 99 yards on 20 rushes during Sunday's 34-16 win over Denver. He also lost a fumble.

Analysis: After an early Powell fumble set Denver up with a game-opening score, Powell and -- notably -- teammate Isaiah Crowell proceeded to slash and dash the Broncos, running through whopping holes and taking it to tacklers. The formula for the Jets has been to pound the ball and work off that to take calculated shots through the air. To that end, Powell has a few more carries (59 to 57) than Crowell but over 100 fewer yards. He's a tough start Sunday against a Colts team in the top half of the…read more

Tops 50 scrimmage yards in blowout loss

Powell rushed eight times for 26 yards and caught four of seven targets for 26 more in Sunday's 31-12 loss to Jacksonville.

Analysis: Powell got 12 touches to Isaiah Crowell's five, but that distribution was to be expected with New York playing from behind for most of the afternoon. This was a tough matchup for the entire offense, and Powell was no exception. Establishing the run will be key for the Jets in Week 5 to slow down Denver's pass rush, so expect both Crowell and Powell to be involved in that contest.

Excellent on ground in loss

Powell rushed 14 times for 73 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Jets' 21-17 loss to the Browns on Thursday.

Analysis: Powell was considerably more effective on a per-carry basis than backfield mate Isaiah Crowell, who rushed 16 times for just 34 yards but found the end zone twice. Powell has surprisingly been a bit player in the passing game in two of the Jets' first three contests, although he's more than made up for it by rushing 26 times for 133 yards in that pair of outings. The division of labor in the backfield appears to be relatively fluid at present, but Powell seems set to be an integral part of the…read more

Catches receiving score in loss

Powell rushed five times for six yards and caught five of six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Dolphins.

Analysis: Powell scored New York's only touchdown with a 28-yard reception on the first possession of the second half. Isaiah Crowell got most of the touches on the ground with 35 yards on 12 carries, but Powell had the superior overall performance thanks to his receiving ability. It looks like Powell will see the majority of reps in passing situations, making him the smarter fantasy play when New York's expected to fall behind.

Leads team in carries

Powell rushed a team-high 12 times for 60 yards and caught one of his two targets for five yards in Monday night's 48-17 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Powell's final totals paled in comparison to backfield mate Isaiah Crowell's 10 rushes for 102 yards and two scores, but the veteran still held his own as usual. Along with leading the Jets in carries despite splitting snaps, Powell averaged an impressive five yards per rush and, unlike Crowell, was used in the passing game, albeit sparingly. All in all, it was a solid season opener for Powell in terms of usage and production, but he was outshone by his new tailback teammate.

Scores 10-yard touchdown in tune-up game

Powell rushed 10 times for 24 yards and a touchdown while failing to secure his lone target in Friday's 22-16 preseason loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Powell got the start in this regular season dress rehearsal and capped the game's opening drive with a 10-yard score. Isaiah Crowell returned to action after sitting out the previous game with a possible concussion, but Crowell played just 10 offensive snaps to Powell's 25. While a more even split is expected once the games start to count, Powell's career average of 4.4 yards per carry and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield should allow him to make the most of his touches.

Gets start Thursday

Powell rushed six times for 17 yards and caught both of his targets for 20 more in Thursday's 15-13 preseason loss to Washington.

Analysis: Powell operated as New York's clear-cut top running back with Isaiah Crowell (concussion) sidelined. He couldn't get much going on the ground with the offensive line struggling, but Powell flashed his receiving chops with catches of nine and 11 yards. It wouldn't be surprising to see Powell exceed last season's total of 23 catches, considering he finished with 58 receptions in 2016.

Splits backfield work in preseason opener

Powell rushed six times for five yards and added a seven-yard reception on his lone target in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over Atlanta.

Analysis: Powell split time with offseason acquisition Isaiah Crowell during New York's first two drives. Crowell capped the second drive with a touchdown reception, but he went to the locker room after the play to be evaluated for a concussion. With third-stringer Elijah McGuire sidelined by a broken foot, Powell would open the season as the clear-cut starter if Crowell's injury proves to be serious. Otherwise, Powell and Crowell will likely operate in a timeshare.

Powell may lose his starting job to Isaiah Crowell, who is signing a three-year deal with the Jets, Newsday's Calvin Watkins reports.

Analysis: Powell averaged 4.3 yards and scored five times on 178 carries last season, but his involvement in the passing game took a massive downturn from 105 catches between 2015 and 2016 to only 23 in 2017. With Crowell likely ticketed for early down work, it's fair to wonder if Powell might eventually be released, a move that would save the Jets $4 million while incurring an $883,334 dead cap charge, per overthecap.com. The Jets then would use Elijah McGuire or a free agent/draft pick as their…read more

The Jets view Powell as a "complementary" running back, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Analysis: It's tempting to pencil Powell in as the Jets' featured ball carrier ahead of the 2018 season when considering teammate Matt Forte (knee) is a likely candidate to be released this offseason. However, it seems prudent to temper any and all expectations of that notion coming to fruition until after the team's running back corps is settled, as the Jets reportedly believe Powell is most effective when he doesn't need to consistently carry a heavy workload. There's thus a strong possibility the team…read more

Powell rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries and added a 10-yard catch during Sunday's 26-6 loss to New England.

Analysis: Powell was to get a bigger share of touches on Sunday with Matt Forte placed on injured reserve, but ended up with a more modest outing after New England took the run away early with a big lead. Powell finished the season with at least 50 total yards in three of his final five games and three touchdowns. He ran hot and cold, but still ended up with an impressive 942 total yards for 2017. He figures to see a similar change-of-pace type role in 2018.

Powell is expected to handle a larger share of snaps Sunday against the Patriots after the Jets placed Matt Forte (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Forte had been battling the knee injury for much of the season, but had suited up for each of the Jets' last five games as part of a three-headed backfield timeshare that also included Powell and Elijah McGuire. The latter two players should handle the bulk of the snaps in Week 17 with Forte unavailable, but Powell seems like the better bet to deliver more fantasy value. Powell has logged double-digit carries in all of the previous four contests, highlighted by a 145-yard rushing effort in the…read more

Powell rushed 19 times for 145 yards and a touchdown while failing to catch his lone target in Sunday's 14-7 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Powell knotted the score at 7-7 with a 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and got 19 carries to Matt Forte's (knee) eight while Elijah McGuire (illness) didn't get a single touch. The long run was just about the only positive on offense for the Jets, as Powell finished with 26 more rushing yards than quarterback Bryce Petty did passing yards. Powell will be New York's best fantasy asset next week in New England, but that's not saying much.

Powell is expected to continue sharing snaps at running back Sunday against the Chargers with both Matt Forte (knee) and Elijah McGuire (illness) active for the contest.

Analysis: The latter two players were deemed questionable Friday after failing to practice this week, creating a sliver of optimism that Powell might have been able to capture lead-back duties to himself Sunday, which would have made him an appealing option in fantasy lineups. Alas, the availability of all three running backs makes it difficult to project who might offer the most value in Week 16, as the snaps were divvied up in fairly equitable fashion in last week's loss to the Saints. In that contest,…read more

Powell is a candidate to see a majority of the running back reps Sunday against the Chargers with Matt Forte (knee) and Elijah McGuire (illness) both questionable for the game, Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site reports.

Analysis: Both Forte and McGuire were unable to practice this week, a development that boosts the prospects of Powell in the penultimate game of the 2017 season. Over the course of the campaign, Powell has a slight lead on Forte in total offensive snaps -- 344 versus 336 -- while McGuire is a distant third with 228. If even one of Forte or McGuire is deemed inactive Sunday, Powell is the obvious candidate to scoop up at least a share of the available work. Furthering Powell's cause this weekend is a…read more

Powell rushed 13 times for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-19 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: While he did not catch his lone target or see any rushes in the fourth quarter, Powell still out-touched Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire, who had nine and seven, respectively. However, 31 of the 29-year-old's yards came on the drive he capped with a touchdown in the second quarter, and he was ineffective otherwise. He will continue to be a touchdown-dependent flex option at home in Week 16 versus the Chargers.

Powell rushed 13 times for 35 yards in Sunday's 23-0 loss to Denver.

Analysis: The Broncos' defense dominated like old times, and the Jets could only muster three drives longer than a three-and-out the entire day. Powell only had one rush longer than two yards until the game was in full blowout mode late in the third quarter. It's not likely to get any better for the 29-year-old in Week 15 at New Orleans, especially with Bryce Petty likely to be under center.

Powell rushed 18 times for 48 yards and a touchdown and brought in two of three targets for two yards in Sunday's 38-31 win over the Chiefs.

Analysis: Powell's carry total was a team high, and he was able to score his first rushing touchdown since Week 4 with a one-yard surge into the end zone in the first quarter. The versatile 29-year-old has been nowhere near as involved as usual in the passing game this season, but he stands a chance of producing for fantasy owners during playoff season if he can continue seeing the type of robust workload he enjoyed Sunday.

Powell carried the ball nine times for 34 yards and added a 12-yard catch during Sunday's 35-27 loss to Carolina.

Analysis: Despite a hobbled Matt Forte (knee), Powell didn't see an uptick in touches and struggled against a tough Carolina run defense. Though Powell has put up some nice numbers in spurts this season, especially with Forte out earlier in the year, but he's been more mediocre than good. Weeks 4 and 9 aside, Powell has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry this season.

Powell is expected to split snaps at running back with Matt Forte (knee) and Elijah McGuire in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Connor Hughes of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: With the Jets labeling Forte as a game-time decision ahead of the Week 12 matchup, there was a chance Powell could serve as the clear lead back in the team's rushing attack, but Forte's availability means a timeshare will likely be in the works. The backfield committee hasn't been especially fruitful for any of the three players from a fantasy perspective over the last four games, with the backs combining for two touchdowns during that span and none of the trio clearing 100 total yards in any…read more

Powell could be the Jets' lead back Sunday against the Panthers, as Matt Forte (knee) is considered a game-time call.

Analysis: Outside of 190 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown Week 4 against the Jaguars, Powell hasn't taken advantage of Forte's other two absences this season, combining for 12 carries for 35 yards and five receptions (on seven targets) for 34 yards. In the event the Jets continue to manage Forte's knee injury and include him among the inactives this weekend, Powell will still have to contend with rookie Elijah McGuire, who has churned out 97 scrimmage yards the last two contests.

Powell rushed 10 times for 30 yards and brought in one of two targets for six yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Buccaneers. He also lost a fumble.

Analysis: Powell appeared primed for significant volume with Matt Forte (knee) sidelined, but his afternoon could largely be classified as a fantasy dud. The 29-year-old tailback's rushing yardage total mostly consisted of a game-long 21-yard scamper, while his production in the passing game was virtually non-existent. Rookie Elijah McGuire actually outpaced Powell in total touches by a 12-11 margin and 58 to 36 in total yards. Forte could well be back for a Week 12 tilt against the Panthers after the…read more

With Matt Forte (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bucs, Powell is in line to head the Jets' Week 10 backfield, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Meanwhile, Elijah McGuire is slated to see an increased role this weekend as the Jets' No. 2 running back. With Forte, who led the Jets with 14 carries for 77 yards Week 9, not in the mix, Powell looks like a viable lineup option Sunday, especially considering that he won't be competing with Forte for pass-catching duties out of the Jets backfield.