When the New York Jets play at New England on Sunday, Tim Tebow could line up at running back, coach Rex Ryan said Thursday.
Backup running backs Bilal Powell (shoulder) and Joe McKnight (ankle) are nursing injuries. Both have missed practice time this week, creating a need at the position to back up starter Shonn Greene.
“That’s a possibility,” Ryan said. “The thing about Tim, with him being a football player like we’ve always talked about, by playing quarterback he knows all the positions and so, can you plug him in at running back? Can you plug him in at tight end, whatever? I think the answer is yes.”
Tebow has played running back a couple of times this season, but most of his 64 rushing yards have come out of the wildcat or shotgun formation.
With Tebow on the roster, the Jets decided against signing a backup running back this week, figuring he could play there should the need arise. Tebow added bulk during the offseason to handle special-teams duty and other roles on offense.
Ryan said Tebow isn’t “going to be a blazer compared to other running backs, but he’s got power.”