“FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) “ Matt Forte has his sights set on the regular season.
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New York Jets running back Matt Forte told reporters on Tuesday that he would, “definitely” be ready for the team’s first game of the 2016 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Bowles said that at the moment all four are scheduled to play, but “We’ll see how it works out”.
Vacchiano adds that Forte looked fine during the drills, which included route-running and taking hits.
Despite growing concerns over the health of one of the Jets’ key players on offense, Forte is confident he’ll be able to play in the season opener against Cincinnati on September 11. That seemed even more likely on Wednesday with his first significant snaps of camp. He did individual drills Tuesday, though, as he did Sunday.
That was a boost to the first team offense as the Jets held their final practice before they travel to Washington where they’ll play the Redskins in their second preseason game on Friday. “He has to get in football shape”. “We weren’t’ tackling. No one hit him”. He was probably about three-quarters speed. We just look forward to him getting better. “If he doesn’t have any setbacks tomorrow then we’ll move forward”. He would like to see a few snaps against the Giants on August 27, the last game most of the team’s starters will play.
“He’ll warm up, ” the coach said. A hamstring injury sustained before the start of training camp has made Forte a spectator for most of camp and the preseason.
Forte will obviously be a name to watch over the next few weeks of preseason action.
“I’m feeling good”, Forte said. “I felt better than I did yesterday, so that’s a good thing”.
Forte, 30, has topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark five times in his career and is a two-time pro bowl selection.
And defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson took part in his second day of team drills, looking more energetic and active than he did in his first day of contact. To get the best receiving running back in the league since 2008 is something to be excited about. “So I’m just going to take it one day at a time”. Along with Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams and Steve McLendon make up one of the NFL’s top units heading into the season.
“We could be great, ” Wilkerson said.
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“That’s the plan. We’ll see how it works out”, Bowles said of Hackenberg playing.
