Matt Forte (knee) among 8 Jets to sit out practice

By AP
Published

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Matt Forte's ailing right knee might keep him out of the New York Jets' game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night.

The running back was among eight players to sit out practice Wednesday with injuries after he hurt his knee early in New York's 23-17 overtime victory at San Francisco last Sunday.

Coach Todd Bowles said Forte will likely be a game-time decision against Miami. Forte, in his first season with the Jets, leads the team with 792 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He also has 29 catches for 256 yards and a TD.

''I don't know,'' Bowles said when asked if he thinks Forte would play. ''He's limited right now. If he gets better, we'll see how he feels, he'll probably go up until the game.''

Bilal Powell filled in for Forte against the 49ers and ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning 19-yard score in OT.

Linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle) and Mike Catapano (knee), tight end Brandon Bostick (ankle), defensive tackle Steve McLendon (hamstring), cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion), offensive tackle Brent Qvale (hamstring) and running back Khiry Robinson (lower leg) also sat out practice.

Bowles said it was too early to rule out any of the players for the game.

Both Mauldin and McLendon have missed the past two games with their injuries. Skrine is in the concussion protocol and it's uncertain if he will be cleared in time to play. Marcus Williams and rookie Juston Burris could see increased snaps if Skrine doesn't play.

If healthy, Qvale would start at right tackle in place of Breno Giacomini, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday with back, shoulder and calf ailments. If Qvale is unable to play, rookie Brandon Shell - the great nephew of Art Shell - would make his first NFL start.

Robinson has been sidelined since the preseason after reinjuring his right leg, which was broken during a game last season while he was playing for New Orleans. Bowles said Robinson, re-signed last week after being waived in September, is close to returning.

Wide receivers Brandon Marshall (knee, foot, back), Quincy Enunwa (ribs) and Jalin Marshall (concussion) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) were limited at practice.

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