The Jets promised to play the “hot hand” at running back this season with their three-headed backfield of Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. So far, though, they look like they’re sticking to a democracy.
Johnson had 27 snaps and Ivory 26 in Monday’s loss to the Bears, despite Ivory clearly running better than Johnson. Coach Rex Ryan did not rule out giving Ivory more playing time in a conference call with reporters Tuesday.
“Maybe Chris Ivory will get more time,” Ryan said. “He’s certainly running hard. He’s doing a great job out of the backfield. There’s not a whole lot of guys that want to tackle him. He’s done a great job.”
Ivory had 10 carries for 44 yards and four catches for 52 yards in Monday’s game. He ran over Bears’ defenders all night, yet found himself on the bench in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. The Jets keep giving the ball to Johnson despite limited production. Johnson has 123 rushing yards on 35 carries in three games. It was Powell who got work in the fourth quarter, though but it's Ivory who has been the most productive of all the Jet backs.
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