EmailPrintFLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets running back Breece Hall proclaimed himself ready to play Sunday after missing five games because of a quadriceps injury -- a difficult period in which he received hostile messages on social media.Hall deleted his accounts, fueling speculation he was on the verge of being traded. The reason, he said, was because people were questioning the validity of his injury, which he said was more serious than reported.He said people were angry because he didn't play the past two games after being listed as questionable. In both cases, he practiced on a limited basis but wasn't ruled out until game day. He practiced fully Thursday for the first time since the injury."I've had people threatening me and my family on social media," he said. "So that's not something that's good for your mental health that you should be looking at. So I'm just like, all right, if people think it's that serious, if you're willing to go that low, then it's like nothing that I need to look at."Hall said he has a "love-hate relationship with Jets fans, and that's part of being an athlete in New York. You have to deal with that because they want you to be available, they want you to play, they want you to play very well. So it is what it is."While he was rehabbing his injury, Hall watched backup Braelon Allen go on a tear, rushing for 504 yards over the five games -- second-most in the NFL in that span. Not only did it spark trade rumors, but it has raised questions about Hall's role as the Jets' No. 1 running back.Offensive coordinator Frank Reich reiterated the team's position Thursday, saying Hall remains the No. 1 back. The Jets signed him to a three-year, $43.5 million contract in the offseason, following several months of trade speculation."We have some plays that are tagged for one or the other, but it's a great problem to have," Reich said. "You've got two No. 1 backs. Breece is, obviously ... our guy, but it'll be a mix."The Jets (2-6), losers of three straight, face the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) at Arrowhead Stadium."I'm still a starter, still a very good running back in this league," Hall said. "Obviously, Braelon's been playing good. I think him and the offense have caught their stride after the first three, four games. So it's going to be good to just get in there, just play some ball."Hall said he has no issue sharing the workload with Allen, whom Reich called a "phenomenal player.""I've always been the advocate of when Braelon comes in," Hall said. "He loves the ball, so that's never been a problem for me. I think it's just been a product of the O-line starting to play really well and Braelon's been playing really well. So I think no matter who's in there is going to be successful."Hall returned to practice two weeks ago, but his quad still was getting "inflamed" and "really sore and stiff" the day after practices. He said he decided not to push it and risk re-injury, knowing Allen was performing well.As for the trade rumors, Hall shrugged them off, knowing they come with the territory."It's like if I have 100 yards, they love me," he said. "If I don't, everybody's like, 'Get him out of here.'"Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who suffered a concussion in this past Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, missed practice for the second day in a row and remains in the concussion protocol.
