Bilal Powell Placed on IR; Needs Surgery on Possible Career-Ending Neck Injury

The New York Jets announced Wednesday that they placed running back Bilal Powell on injured reserve and signed safety Ibraheim Campbell.

Powell suffered a neck injury during Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The injury will require surgery and is severe enough that it might end his career, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.

The 29-year-old veteran was in the midst of a solid season with 343 rushing yards to go with 11 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Powell is the Jets' second-leading rusher, and he is tied for fifth on the team in catches.

With Powell on the shelf, the Jets will turn more toward Isaiah Crowell, who leads them with 459 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Crowell is averaging 5.7 yards per carry, which represents a career high for the former Cleveland Brown.

Powell's absence also figures to create more backfield opportunities for sixth-round pick Trenton Cannon. The rookie has just eight carries for 19 yards and five receptions for 75 yards this season.

As noted by Andy Vasquez of NorthJersey.com, Elijah McGuire is also eligible to return from a foot injury soon:

Last season, McGuire racked up 492 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns after New York selected him in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Campbell saw action in four games in the defensive backfield with the Dallas Cowboys this year after he spent his first three seasons with the Browns. He also appeared in one game with the Houston Texans in 2017.

Campbell's best season came in 2016 when the 2015 fourth-round pick started eight games and recorded 43 tackles. He'll provide safety depth behind starters Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.