Tim Tebow might add a new job title to an already-lengthy list.
The do-it-all backup quarterback could see time at running back in the New York Jets’ banged-up backfield Sunday against the New England Patriots.
“That’s a possibility,” coach Rex Ryan said Thursday. “The thing about Tim – with him being a football player like we’ve always talked about – by playing quarterback, he knows all the positions. So, can you plug him in at running back? Can you plug him in at tight end or whatever?
“I think the answer is yes.”
The Jets are a bit short-handed at the position with backups Joe McKnight (sprained left ankle) and Bilal Powell (separated right shoulder) likely out for the game – although McKnight insisted, “It’s for first place, I’m in there.” That leaves only starter Shonn Greene and rookie Jonathan Grimes, who has yet to play, as the team’s completely healthy running backs. Lex Hilliard is the remaining fullback after the Jets waived John Conner on Wednesday.
Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano echoed Ryan’s comments on Tebow, and was just as vague.
“There’s a possibility,” he said. “There’s a possibility for a lot of things. We’ll see.”
DRUG OD KILLED REID
Toxicology results confirmed what his father seemed to know all along: Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, died from a lethal overdose of heroin.
The 29-year-old had struggled with the substance for nearly a decade, a fact to which his father alluded by suggesting his son had “lost the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years” in a statement issued after his son’s death in August.
And as Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Thursday, a subsequent investigation suggested that despite signs of a recovery, the aspiring sports manager had returned to his old vices.
“To the Reid family, we extend our sympathies,” the prosecutor said. “We wanted to put to rest that this was an accidental overdose.”
At a news conference, Morganelli ruled out any foul play, but he vowed that his office would continue to investigate who supplied the drugs and suggested that those responsible will face charges.
EXTRA POINTS
Browns running back Trent Richardson will wear a flak jacket to guard his injured ribs. The rookie from Alabama will be equipped with protective padding over a rib cartilage injury when the Browns play the Colts on Sunday. Richardson was injured in last Sunday’s win over Cincinnati, taking a helmet to the right side in the first quarter. … The Vikings held Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen out of practice as a precaution because of minor injuries, but expect to have both available against Arizona. Peterson has been playing through a sprained left ankle for the past few weeks. … Bills starting right guard Kraig Urbik will miss his third straight game because of a right ankle injury.
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