Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (R) takes down New York Jets running back Bilal Powell on a short pass near the Broncos goal line in the first half last night. Powell saw more action after Shonn Greene’s injury. (UPI)
DENVER — It was when Bilal Powell got into the game in the second quarter last night that it was apparent the Jets had running back issues.
Powell, a fourth-round draft pick in April, was active for his first career NFL game against the Broncos because LaDainian Tomlinson didn’t make the trip because of a knee injury.
But Powell was merely supposed to be insurance for the Jets.
That was the case until starter Shonn Greene suffered a rib injury with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter and didn’t return.
That forced Joe McKnight, who was already going to have an expanded role as the third-down back in Tomlinson’s absence, to become the lead back.
“It hurt a little bit when Shonn went down, because he’s our bruiser,’’ McKnight said. “But any time a man goes down the next man has to step up and pick it up.’’
McKnight’s shifted role also elevated Powell, who finished with 11 yards on seven carries and a catch for seven yards.
Powell, the rookie from Louisville, had much more active night than he likely banked on entering the night. He caught his first NFL pass, a seven-yard gain, in the second quarter on a drive that led to a Nick Folk field goal.
Later in the quarter, he got his first NFL rushing attempt, gaining two yards.
At the end of the Jets’ opening drive of the second half and with a second-and-goal from the Denver 1-yard line, Powell fumbled the ball away.
To his and the Jets’ good fortune, left guard Matt Slauson recovered it at the 1-yard line and dove into the end zone for a touchdown.
Greene said after getting X-rays he was cleared to return to the game, but the coaches wanted to stick with McKnight, who was running well, finishing with 59 yards on 16 carries.
“I got hit with a knee in my side and got my ribs,’’ Greene said. “After halftime I thought I could get back in, but the coaches wanted to keep going with Joe because he was doing well.’’