(Photo: US Presswire)
By Ryan Alfieri, Editor
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Joe McKnight has officially be usurped as the team’s third-down back.
If this news came out before training camp, this would have been a complete shock, but Powell was one of the most impressive players of training camp, rising from the fringe of the depth chart to the “semi” starting lineup.
However, while Powell may have been the better player in practice and is probably less of a liability in protection, McKnight has been the much more explosive player between the two in the preseason games.
It is also likely that the Jets want to save McKnight for return duties and perhaps even line him up as a receiver from time to time. In fact, his versatility was even put to use on defense a few times last year.
While the depth chart may be set for the upcoming week, this is a decision that can certainly change if Powell is not the same player once the lights come on for the regular season.
