Matt Forte is dealing with a meniscus tear, but the injury might not be as bad as it sounds. That's because Forte revealed on Wednesday that he's been playing through that torn meniscus all season long.
And so the Jets running back could play against the Dolphins on Saturday. Jets coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Forte will be a game-time decision.
"At some point, but I've been playing with it for a whole year and it hasn't been bothering me," Forte told ESPN when asked if he needs surgery. "What happens sometimes with these meniscus injuries is that it's in a place where you can function. If it doesn't bother you, yeah, you can play with it."
Apparently, Forte aggravated the injury early in the team's win over the 49ers.
"It hadn't been bothering me, so what I think happened Sunday is I re-aggravated it and it swelled up on me and all that stuff," Forte said. "I've been working with them in the trainer's room. The swelling is going down, so it feels a lot better."
Signed by the Jets in the offseason, Forte spent the first eight years of his career with the Bears, racking up 12,718 yards from scrimmage. The Bears opted to let Forte walk in free agency. So far, he's been a solid addition to the Jets, accumulating 1,048 yards from scrimmage.
But that doesn't mean the decision to sign him was wise. The Jets are 4-9, lacking a clear direction, and now have a 31-year-old running back under contract through 2018. But that's a problem for the offseason.
If Forte can't play against the Dolphins, Bilal Powell figures to take on a increased workload. That possibility shouldn't scare the Jets considering Powell shined Sunday. Against the 49ers, Powell picked up 145 yards on 29 carries and added 34 receiving yards. He scored twice.
Powell has actually been productive all season as Forte's backup, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. According to ESPN, Bowles said that Powell will get more carries in the final three games of the season.
