Frank Gore probably played his last game as a Jet. At the age of 37, his career could also be over.
The legendary running rugby had a lung contusion in Sunday’s win over the Browns, which ended its season.
“This is going to be one of the ones where he will not be available for a few weeks,” coach Adam Gase said at a Monday conference. “Of course, if he has one more game left, he will not be able to finish the last game.”
Gore has not yet announced his future plans and recently said he is not sure if teams will have an interest in a 38-year-old full-back. If he did mention it, he would do so with 16,000 careers in the career, third on the all-time list behind Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton, and with 19,985 yards of scrum, the fourth most ever. In his one season with the Jets, Gore ran for 653 yards and two touchdowns.
Due to multiple ACL tears at the university, Gore’s draft inventory fell. He dropped to the third round in the 2005 draft, but did not let that slow him down. He spent a decade with the 49ers, before playing three seasons with the Colts and the Jets, Bills and Dolphins for a year. He won five Pro Bowls, ran nine times for more than 1,000 meters and recorded 99 hits in his memorable 14-year career.
Teammates were raving about Gore’s character, work ethic and determination in a lost season. His real stance was constant, even as the Jets lost their first 13 games this season.
‘I know he probably does not even think about it, but the young guys, including myself and all the guys on the team, look [up to] him and you just want to embody everything he shows daily, ”said Sam Darnold (quarterback). “It’s so consistent and that’s why he had such a long career, that’s why he had the career he had.”
Gase, who has coached Gore at two previous intervals, added: “I can not say enough about what he did by setting an example.”
With Gore out, newcomer La’Mical Perine should see his role expand. In his first game since going to an injured reserve with a sprained ankle on Nov. 24, Perine ran 30 yards on nine runs and caught one pass for 14 yards against the Browns.
“It would be good to see him carry the load and see him go down on the first, second and third,” Gase said.
Tight-headed Ryan Griffin (COVID-19 list) should return this week, but it is doubtful whether offensive linebacker Josh Andrews (groin) will be able to return, according to Gase. The offensive guard, Greg Van Roten (foot), can return from the injured reserve, although his status is uncertain.