Jets Rumors: Le'Veon Bell Looking to Return from Injury vs. Cardinals in Week 5

New York Jets star running back Le'Veon Bell is reportedly hoping to return from a hamstring injury for the team's Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 11. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the update Wednesday.

New York might have thought the three-time Pro Bowler would feel rejuvenated after sitting out the 2018 season, having had a league-leading 406 touches a year earlier. Instead, he ran for 789 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry.

The start of the 2020 season didn't represent a change in the right direction. Following their 27-17 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Jets placed Bell on injured reserve with the hamstring injury, ruling him out for a minimum of three games. Week 5 would be his first game eligible to return to the active roster.

New York signed Frank Gore in the offseason to bolster its depth in the backfield and signed Kalen Ballage following Bell's injury after previously seeing a trade for the former Dolphin fall through in late August.

Gore will likely retain the starting role with Ballage and 2020 fourth-round draft pick La'Mical Perine providing further support on the ground for Thursday's Week 4 clash with the Denver Broncos.

The Jets would incur a $4 million hit in dead money but save $9.5 million by releasing Bell after the 2020 season, per Spotrac. They could spread that $4 million over 2021 and 2022 while saving $11.5 million by designating him as a post-June 1 cut.

It seems fair to wonder whether that's something the front office will consider based on how poorly his tenure in New York has played out.