Breece Hall, running back, New York Jets Breece Hall Return
Breece Hall, running back, New York Jets Breece Hall Return
Breece Hall returned to practice Monday ahead of the New York Jets’ Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Jets star running back has been out since the second week of August after sustaining a non-contact groin injury during practice. Breece Hall’s return couldn’t come at a better time for New York. After a career season and a contract extension that rewarded his production, the Jets will need every bit of playmaking from their fifth-year star. The best part is, Hall isn’t the only returning piece that can help the team during practice.
Along with the return of Breece Hall, the team is excited to have rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds return to the field as well. The two rookies were both top-50 draft picks in this year’s NFL Draft and arrive with big expectations for the former Big 10 conference standouts. Sadiq’s productive season at Oregon got him recognized as a premier tight end in the sport and should add a dynamic receiving option to the offense. Meanwhile, Ponds’ tenacity in the Indiana Hoosiers secondary was a major asset to Curt Cignetti’s team winning the National Championship.
Good News
Breece Hall is "trending toward playing" in the season opener & will be practicing this week, per Aaron Glenn
Can't Wait to get RB1 back ✈#Jets pic.twitter.com/2OSFfJM7lU
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) September 8, 2026
Breece Hall, running back, New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) records a shoestring tackle on New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Breece Hall Returns to Practice Ahead of Week 1
This Sunday, the New York Jets kick off the 2026 regular season on the road when they face the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. For both teams, it will be a first look at what should be new eras for both franchises. For Tennessee, the Titans begin the second season of 2025. First-overall pick Cam Ward’s tenure as the quarterback starts a new journey with head coach Robert Salah during their first season together.
Meanwhile, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn tries to fan the flames from the hot seat as he enters year two with major changes to his coaching staff, a new starting quarterback, Geno Smith, and the arrival of second-overall pick edge rusher David Bailey. The good news for Aaron Glenn is that he’ll have some familiar faces return, featuring star running back Breece Hall.
On Monday, Breece Hall returned to practice after missing nearly three weeks due to a non-contact groin injury. The injury was an unfortunate setback for the fifth-year running back. Especially after a career season in 2025 that led to him signing a massive three-year contract extension worth up to $45.75 Mn. With that new contract, Breece Hall is ready to make this his best season yet.
The Jets running back became the eighth player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, with 1,065 yards on 243 carries through 16 games. Along with a third consecutive season with at least 35 receptions and over 300 receiving yards, Hall’s contributions as a receiver make him a vital cog in the Jets offense. With Hall returning to practice, he’s fully expected to be back on the field this Sunday and hopefully help the Jets to victory in Tennessee.
Rookies Kenyon Sadiq and D’Angelo Ponds Also Return to Practice
If the Jets want to beat the Titans, they’ll need more than just Breece Hall’s return to give them the edge. Fortunately, New York had two crucial rookies in pads and back to practicing at full strength as well. The Jets saw the return of rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds to practice as well. Sadiq, the 16th overall pick in the draft, has been recovering from a follow-up procedure for Hernia surgery he had back in May. Meanwhile, Ponds, the 50th overall pick, has been recuperating from a calf injury he suffered early in training camp.
While both men are expected to be major contributors this season, the team is expected to be cautious with their acclimation as they ramp up their return. As much as fans and analysts alike are looking forward to seeing both rookies contribute, they also missed key chunks of the preseason during their recovery. While it won’t come to fruition immediately, both players will play major roles for the Jets this season.
Kenyon Sadiq, tight end, New York Jets, Jets rookie
Jul 29, 2026; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq (16) participates in a drill during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Kenyon Sadiq is Ready to Help the Passing Game
Along with Breece Hall return to the team, Kenyon Sadiq can be a major producer for the Jets this season. Despite playing in a tight end room that also features Mason Taylor, veterans Jelani Woods and Jeremy Ruckert, the 16th overall pick has a lot of promise at the beginning of his NFL career. During his final season at Oregon in 2025, Sadiq led the Ducks in receptions with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite being listed as a tight end, the 6’3″, 241 lb Sadiq lined up in multiple spots in Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein’s offense last season.
The versatility Sadiq offers can be important in New York. It might take some time, but Sadiq enters the season with a solid, experienced support system around him within the offense. He’ll have 14-year veteran quarterback Geno Smith throwing him, who just worked with standout tight end Brock Bowers while playing with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. In addition, experienced offensive coordinator Frank Reich will be a solid mind to develop with, after Reich played a major role in the development of tight end Zach Ertz while offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.
D'Angelo Ponds, cornerback, Indiana, 2026 NFL Draft prospect
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) intercepts a pass intended for Oregon Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson (4) and runs it back for a touchdown Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
D’Angelo Ponds Can Help Turn the Secondary Around
On the other side of the ball, the defense will appreciate the return of rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. After the Jets secondary became the first unit in 93 years not to record an interception throughout an entire season, Ponds aims to change that. Between three seasons at James Madison and Indiana, Ponds ended his collegiate career with seven interceptions. In fact, five of those seven interceptions came during his two seasons at Indiana.
However, interceptions aren’t the only area in which Ponds can contribute. Ponds led the Big 10 conference last season with 11 passes defended. Despite the concerns about his frame(5’8″, 182lbs), Ponds has shown his worthiness as an adept tackler. Over the last two seasons with the Hoosiers, Ponds finished with 118 combined tackles, including 80 solo tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
Entering the season, Ponds will have to work his way up the depth chart to have an opportunity as an outside cornerback. With veteran Brandon Stephens entering the season as a de facto starter, second-year cornerback Azareye’h Thomas has won the second starting cornerback job. Ponds will likely be competing for rotational snaps at nickelback behind third-year cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
The Last Word
The New York Jets starting offense will appreciate having Breece Hall return to the team. If the New York Jets want to capitalize on the retooled passing game, they will need their star running back to maintain the top-15 running back production he routinely flashed last season. But for the team to avoid a disastrous season like the one witnessed in 2025, the team needs rookies Kenyon Sadiq and D’Angelo Ponds to make an impact this season. The time they missed during the preseason will force the coaching staff to ease them into their roles. But both men should hopefully demonstrate why they were top-50 draft picks in April.
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Main Photo: [John Jones] – Reuters Connect