Latest News on Breece Hall's Injury, Jets Status in Week 18 Ahead of NFL Free Agency

New York Jets running back Breece Hall has been downgraded from questionable to out for his team's final regular season game on Sunday at the Buffalo Bills.

The impending free agent was initially listed on the injury report with a knee ailment. He didn't practice Wednesday but turned in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday.

The injury occurred last Sunday, when the New York Jets fell 42-10 at home to the New England Patriots. Hall was tackled out of bounds to begin a fourth quarter drive and fell hard. He grabbed his knee but was able to get up and limp off the MetLife Stadium turf with help from trainers.

"It's fine, just kind of landed on it a little weird and hadn't really felt that before so they just wanted to be safe and everything," Hall said following the game, per SNY's Colin Martin.

"I probably won't need to get it tested or anything so I'm fine."

Hall had finished the previous drive with a 59-yard touchdown run. He ended the game with 129 yards from scrimmage.

The fourth-year pro out of Iowa State has played his entire career with the Jets. The No. 36 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft enjoyed a productive season this year, rushing for a career-high 1,065 yards. He became the Jets' first 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Ivory in 2015. Hall also added 36 catches for 350 yards and scored five touchdowns overall.

With the 3-13 Jets' season long over, it doesn't make sense for Hall to play injured in the last game of the year. Plus, there's no reason for him to risk a worse ailment with free agency on the horizon.

Hall, who will be 25 when next season begins, has overcome a torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2022 campaign after seven games. He's been a positive constant for a struggling franchise, and now he's in position for a lucrative second contract.

The questions are how much, for how long and from whom. Regarding the latter, it's clear the Jets want him back, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

"From all indications, though, the Jets remain very interested in retaining Hall before he hits the open market as a free agent in March. Coach Aaron Glenn called him 'a high-level running back' who, to use one of the coach's expressions, still offers plenty of meat on the bone."

The Jets should have competition, though, and the money might be there. Joel Corry of CBS Sports had this to say on the dollars and cents:

"Hall will likely be looking to get into the same salary stratosphere as James Cook and Kyren Williams, fellow running backs from the 2022 draft, with a new contract. Williams signed a three-year, $33 million extension with the Rams during the preseason. Cook's four-year, $46 million extension, worth up to $48 million with salary escalators, from the Buffalo Bills came several days after Williams' deal."

We'll see if he gets there soon enough. The dates to watch are Monday, March 9 (the beginning of the legal tampering period) and Wednesday, March 11 (the official start of the new league year and free agency).