Running back Matt Forte has been a regular on the Jets’ injury reports this season due to a knee injury and remained there on Thursday as a non-participant in one of the team’s final practices of the year.
Forte hopes it’s not one of his final practices with the team altogether. Forte, who had arthroscopic knee surgery after his first year with the team, said he would like to return for a third season with the Jets in 2018 in hopes of finding better health and production.
“When I was healthy and got the opportunities, I think I produced at a decent level,” Forte said, via NJ.com. “Since the bye week [this year], I’ve been basically playing on one leg, so that’s been tough. Obviously, that hinders your production level.”
Forte, who turned 32 this month, is under contract for next season with a cap hit of $4 million and without any guaranteed money, so the Jets would realize $3 million in savings if they move on without him. The presence of Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire may make it likelier that they choose that route.