Jets' Bryce Hall works his way back on the field, ready to prove to himself he can play

Bryce Hall hadn’t played football in more than a year, not since suffering a devastating and gruesome lower-leg injury that could have ended his career. It certainly affected his draft position.

But Hall made it through a long, grueling rehab and made his NFL debut on Nov. 9, playing nearly 50 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps in their loss to the Patriots.

The rookie cornerback from Virginia was nervous and excited, and admitted he had to overcome some mental hurdles before he believed he was fine physically. He proved he was on Monday Night Football.

"The biggest challenge was mentally convincing myself when I was back that I was good," Hall said. "That I didn’t have to worry about, ‘Am I going to reinjure this thing?’ Physically I’m ready. I’m healed. Now it’s just the confidence.

"I have all the confidence in the world that I can be a really good player. That’s not me being cocky. That’s just me believing in myself."

Hall, a fifth-round pick, will get the opportunity to show he can be that player over the Jets’ final seven games.

The Jets (0-9) are the NFL’s only winless team. They’re in full evaluation mode and giving their young players more opportunity to play.

Last week, Hall was one of 10 rookies to play against New England. He was in for 46 snaps combined between defense and special teams and had two tackles.

Hall’s snap counts will increase on Sunday when the Jets are in Los Angeles to face the Chargers. The Jets released veteran cornerback Pierre Desir on Tuesday. The move opens up more playing time for Hall, who will be ready for whatever role the Jets have for him.

"My focus is just trying to be the best that I can be," Hall said. "Working on my craft in practice to put myself in position that if I get the opportunity to make the most of it."

A receiver in high school, Hall developed into one of the better cornerbacks in the country at Virginia. He had 39 pass breakups, five interceptions and three forced fumbles in four years. As a junior, Hall’s 22 pass breakups led the nation and his 24 passes defended were tied for first.

Hall was projected to be a first- or second-round pick. That was before he fractured his left fibula, dislocated his ankle and suffered torn ligaments while blocking on a punt return against Miami on Oct. 11 of the 2019 season.

His draft stock plummeted, of course. But Jets general manager Joe Douglas, after consulting with team doctors, believed that Hall was worth the risk. The Jets selected him with the 158th pick overall.

The extremely spiritual Hall relied on his faith through the draft and entire rehab process and believes he’s right where he belongs.

"I didn’t lose hope when I got hurt," he said. "I really believe God works everything out for our good if we stay faithful and committed to him. That’s really what helped.

"Sitting through the draft there were thoughts in my head that crept in: ‘Will I get drafted? Will I get an opportunity?’ I felt like with my injury I was blessed and fortunate enough to get picked up in the fifth round by the Jets.

"Things like that gave me hope and gave me the positive attitude to know that I will be better, I will get better. I attacked the rehab process just as I attack my preparation and playing this game."

This could turn out to be a great decision by Douglas if Hall shows the ballhawk skills he did in college. Cornerback is one of the many areas of need for the Jets. They’re going to give Hall a long look these final seven games.