NFL

Jets’ Ivory: Injury-prone label is nonsense

CORTLAND — Chris Ivory wants you to know that he absolutely, positively, 100 percent is not prone to injury.

The Jets’ recently acquired running back hasn’t practiced at all with his new team since training camp started and was limited to just 24 games over three seasons with the Saints, but if you listen to Ivory, the “always hurt” tag is mostly a media creation.

The mere mention of it, in fact, makes Ivory groan and eager to change the subject.

“I wouldn’t say I struggled with injuries in the NFL,” Ivory told The Post yesterday after yet another workout missed to a balky hamstring that will also keep him out of tomorrow night’s exhibition opener at the Lions.

“I had four or five hamstring injuries and a foot injury, which is a lot, but I was always able to get over the hump [in New Orleans],” he continued. “It’s always been more the media saying I was injury-prone, which is frustrating.

Ivory added that the Jets’ extended wait for him will end as soon as Sunday, when he finally expects to practice, but it’s usually safer to write those predictions in pencil instead of ink when it comes to the former undrafted free agent.

Rex Ryan certainly didn’t sound reassured yesterday by Ivory’s prediction of an imminent, doctor-approved return.

“He knows more about it than I do right now,” Ryan said.

If Ryan is frustrated by Ivory’s inability to stay out of the cold tub, the Jets coach hasn’t shown it. Ryan repeatedly avoided that question this week, preferring to rave about Bilal Powell — the lone healthy running back of note in his team’s entire camp so far.

But it’s clear the Jets are badly in need of Ivory’s services if they hope to have an even mildly threatening run game this season, especially with new GM John Idzik’s other big backfield addition, Mike Goodson, still mysteriously absent from camp with “personal matters.”

The rugged Ivory, acquired in a draft-weekend trade with New Orleans, where he struggled for carries in a four-man backfield but turned heads by averaging a whopping 5.1 yards per carry, is viewed as feature-back material by Gang Green.

So does Ivory, who told a New Orleans newspaper shortly after the trade that he expected to “put up some crazy numbers” with more consistent playing time as a Jet.