Isaiah Crowell

This news seemed inevitable after word surfaced that Crowell suffered a torn Achilles while working out Monday. The veteran tailback was considered an option to take over the starting role for the Raiders this season, though he was slated to face competition from first-round pick Josh Jacobs. The rookie should be viewed as the top candidate to start in the Raiders backfield sans Crowell, though the club also sports the likes of Jalen Richard, Doug Martin, DeAndre Washington and Chris Warren on the roster, and another veteran addition could be in the cards. Crowell, who was on a one-year contract, will aim to be healthy for the 2020 season either in Oakland or elsewhere.

Viewed as a potential Marshawn Lynch replacement after inking a one-year deal with Oakland in March, Crowell saw any tenuous hold he might have had on the Raiders' top backfield job take a significant hit last week, when the team nabbed Alabama product Josh Jacobs in the first round of the draft. Crowell's injury now leaves Jacobs as the clear top candidate for carries, though the Raiders will likely add another veteran to their backfield before Week 1. The 26-year-old Crowell should at least have time to get healthy before the 2020 offseason, at which point he may need to find a new team as a free agent.

Crowell, the AFC's leading rusher with 390 yards and 6.8 YPA, missed a couple of practice days before doing limited work Friday. If he's at all limited, Bilal Powell's role will grow.

The Jets are without three running backs at the moment: Crowell for an undetermined amount of time, Elijah McGuire (foot) through at least mid-September and Thomas Rawls with an unknown injury. There's no telling when Crowell will gain clearance for practice or games, but Bilal Powell is the clear-cut No. 1 back at the moment in New York, with Trenton Cannon acting as the top healthy reserve option.