Isaiah

Crowell

This is a formality after Crowell torn his Achilles at a team workout. Crowell will miss all of 2019 before heading back to free agency next offseason.

This will be Crowell’s first visit since being released by the Jets 12 days ago after the team signed Le’Veon Bell. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, coach Jon Gruden is “hoping” to add Crowell to the Raiders’ backfield mix.

Crowell suffered the injury in a workout with the team. He had just signed a one-year deal with the Raiders 33 days ago. The 26-year-old battled a multitude of lower-body injuries with the Jets last season. Crowell is unlikely to ever play a down for the Silver and Black. The injury leaves second-rounder Josh Jacobs as the clear-cut lead dog in the Raiders’ backfield, along with Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, and Chris Warren. Perhaps the Raiders will turn back to Doug Martin as some insurance.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth “up to” $2.5 million. Crowell’s addition is a hedge against Marshawn Lynch’s return. 33-year-old Lynch is expected to decide his 2019 status following the draft. Crowell was excellent in spot duty for Gang Green last season, turning 143 carries into 685 yards (4.79 YPC). It is worth noting that 219 of those yards came in one game. A big-play threat who can catch a pass in a pinch, Crowell should make the Raiders’ 53-man roster and has a decent chance at carving out a real role. Doug Martin is also a free agent, while DeAndre Washington failed to capture coach Jon Gruden’s imagination last year. Jalen Richard is more of a passing-game specialist.

This was the expectation after the Jets added Le’Veon Bell. Signed to a “three-year, $12 million” deal last March, Crowell gained 685 yards, 219 of those in one game against the Broncos, and scored six touchdowns on 143 carries his only season in New York. With the top of the running back market signed, Crowell should quickly draw interest.

Crowell signed a “three-year, $12 million” deal with the Jets last March and will be owed $2 million guaranteed if he’s on the roster by the end of the day on March 15. Mehta doesn’t expect that to be the case, as the Jets have strongly been linked to Le’Veon Bell as an impending free agent. Crowell had some monster games with the Jets in 2018, with a 10-102-2 Week 1 against the Lions and 15-219-1 versus Denver in Week 5. He only had more than 49 rushing yards in one other game before going on I.R. with a foot issue after Week 13. Crowell appears likely to be one-and-done with Gang Green. The Jets are going to overhaul their backfield.

New York will move forward with second-year pro Elijah McGuire, sixth-round rookie Trenton Cannon, and practice squad call-up and ex-Broncos RB De’Angelo Henderson manning their backfield to close out the year. Crowell was a formidable scoring option for the Jets, having hit pay dirt six times this season, but ultimately recorded a majority of his rushing yardage (685) in his Week 5 219-yard explosive against the Broncos. It’s possible the Jets simply move on from Crowell in the offseason after inking him for $12 million in 2018.

It is not a surprise considering he did not practice all week. Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon will handle the backfield work in his place. Even in a tough matchup, McGuire is a volume-based FLEX option.

That is three missed practices for Crowell, all but assuring he will miss Saturday’s game against the Texans. Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon should handle the backfield work with Crowell sidelined.

Crowell was spotted in a walking boot earlier this week. He’s played through numerous lower-body injuries with multiple DNPs this season. We wouldn’t put it past him to play again. Good news for the Jets was Elijah McGuire (ankle) and Trenton Cannon (toe) were able to get in limited practices.