NY Jets sign RB Kalen Ballage following injury to Le’Veon Bell

The NY Jets have signed running back Kalen Ballage following an injury to Le’Veon Bell.

The NY Jets have decided to bring back a familiar face. It looks like former Miami Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage will be heading to New York after all.

Ballage’s agent took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce the news that Ballage had signed with the Jets. Of course, many will remember that the Jets originally traded for the former Dolphins draft pick back on August 27th.

Originally, the Jets agreed to ship a conditional seventh-round draft choice to their division rivals for Ballage. However, the trade was voided just three days later as a result of a failed physical.

Ballage, who was dealing with a hamstring injury this summer, was eventually released by Miami on September 5th with an injury settlement. Following multiple injuries to Jets running backs, the team decided to give him another shot.

Fourth-round rookie La’Mical Perine remains sidelined with an ankle injury which prompted the team to promote Josh Adams from the practice squad on Sunday. But after Le’Veon Bell went down twice with a hamstring injury, the Jets evidently needed to make an outside move.

Adams will likely receive a full-time promotion to the active roster ahead of Week 2, or at the very least, be one of the two game-day promotions once again. With Bell expected to miss “a couple of weeks,” expect veteran Frank Gore to be the team’s lead back.

Spelling Gore will be Adams, who scored his first touchdown with the Jets on Sunday, and we’ll likely see some of Ballage now as well.

What are the NY Jets getting in Kalen Ballage?

A fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ballage made a name for himself at Arizona State tying the FBS single-game touchdown record by scoring eight touchdowns against Texas Tech in his junior season.

Unfortunately, despite a promising start to his NFL career, Ballage struggled mightily in 2019 running behind an abysmal Dolphins offensive line. But he did find his most success playing under head coach Adam Gase in 2018.

That’s likely where the Jets’ interest comes from.

Ballage never found his footing in Miami, primarily due to his own struggles. But perhaps he could turn things around with the Jets now that he’s reunited with his former head coach.

One thing’s for sure though. Much like the other running backs on the roster, he’s going to need some help.