New York Jets fans will have to wait a wee bit longer to see their new running back in live-game action. The Jets announced that Le'Veon Bell would not play in their Week 2 preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. Head coach Adam Gase has been mute on if Bell will play at all in exhibition games.
Bell likely isn't phased for resting out the game — and it's not because he sat out all of 2018 — he said he doesn't “necessarily need” the preseason reps earlier this week.
“I don’t really necessarily need them,” Bell said on preseason touches via The New York Daily News' Manish Mehta. “If I get them, they’ll help. But I don’t think I’ll need them. I think once we get out there… football is football. I’ve been playing for so long. It naturally will come back to me. I’ll get adjusted to the game … in a couple plays and I’m ready to go.”
Luckily, Jets faithful will be able to see second-year quarterback Sam Darnold for the second time of the preseason. However, he likely won't play more than a quarter, as he played just one drive in Week 1.
The starting interior line of Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil, and Brian Winters join Bell as non-players on Thursday. Defensive starters cornerback Trumaine Johnson and defensive end Leonard Williams are also out.
If one were tuning into the Atlanta Falcons-New York Jets preseason game for star play, there will be some big names playing for Atlanta. Both running back Devonta Foreman and quarterback Matt Ryan aren't part of the ten players not playing.
However, wide receiver Julio Jones and linebacker Deion Jones are.