Mike Goodson’s first season as a Jet was a short one.
The speedy running back tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee late in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers and he is out for the remainder of the season. Goodson played just two games for the Jets after serving a four-game suspension, stemming from his May arrest, to start the season.
“I think we all saw what we were so excited about, the type of explosiveness that young man presents,” coach Rex Ryan said. “But then unfortunately he has the MCL and ACL knee injury. He’ll be out for the year on an interception. It’s an unfortunate thing for sure.”
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter on Geno Smith’s second interception of the day. Goodson actually gave up the pressure from Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones. He went to tackle Lawrence Timmons after the Steelers linebacker intercepted Smith when teammate Brian Winters collided with Goodson’s leg.
The Jets signed Goodson to a three-year, $6.9 million deal in March, hoping he would give them a playmaker in the backfield that was a big-play threat. He was arrested two months later after being found passed out in a car on Route 80 and faces weapons and drug charges from the incident. Goodson did not participate in training camp and the NFL suspended him for the Jets’ first four games.
Goodson’s absence should create a bigger role for Chris Ivory, who had just four carries Sunday. Ivory, who came to the Jets in a trade from New Orleans, said he is not frustrated by his limited role, but hopes the Jets will run more. Ivory has 115 yards on 34 carries this year.
“It hasn’t been tough yet,” Ivory said. “I don’t feel like I’m sitting back waiting on my time. I just feel like we could run the ball more. We’re not doing that, but I think it will get better.”
The Jets ran the ball nine times in the first quarter, but then just 11 times the rest of the game. Ivory said the game plan was to run the ball against a Pittsburgh defense that was 25th against the run.
“We definitely got away from it,” Ivory said. “As the [offensive coordinator], there’s no telling what he’s seeing and what he’s thinking. That’s just something you say OK and deal with and hope a big play happens.”
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WR Clyde Gates said he was waiting for MRI exam results on his left shoulder, but was optimistic he would be able to play Sunday. … CB Kyle Wilson left Sunday’s game with a head injury, but Ryan would not say whether he has a concussion. … The Jets have just one interception on defense, tied for the lowest total in the league with the Chargers entering their game Monday night.