Frank Gore remains featured back for Jets in Adam Gase's offense

Frank Gore will continue to be a featured back in Adam Gase’s offense.

The Jets are winless and evaluating young players to see if they can be a part of the team’s future, but the 37-year-old Gore started Sunday’s 40-3 loss in Seattle and finished with more touches (nine) than Ty Johnson and Josh Adams, who had eight each.

Gase said that as long as Gore is healthy, there is no plan to sit him.

"We’ll play the guys whenever they’re available," he said. "As of right now, we’re trying to give all those guys touches. That’s the decision that we decided to make."

Gase said things could change if rookie La’Mical Perine returns this week from injured reserve. Gase said Perine has a chance to practice this week after missing the last three games with a high ankle sprain.

It’s obvious that Gase has an affinity for Gore, a consummate pro who is a locker room leader and someone looked up to by all players for his work ethic and dedication. The plan after Le’Veon Bell was waived was for Perine to be more involved in the offense, but Gore continued to be the main ballcarrier. Since Bell’s departure in October, Gore has tied or led the Jets in carries in all but one game.

When Gore suffered a concussion on the first play from scrimmage Dec. 6 against the Raiders, Johnson rushed for 104 yards and Adams had 74 as the Jets totaled 206 yards on the ground.

The Jets mustered only 69 rushing yards against the Seahawks, and Gore lost a fumble for the first time since 2016.

"You can never predict how many plays you’re going to have in a game," Gase said. "We felt like we had it mapped out as far as how we were going to rotate them. We had too many three-and-outs. Didn’t put us in an ideal position."

Gase said the opponent also had something to do with it.

"This was a different team we were playing and they handled things a little differently," he said. "We had some good runs there early. It just kind of flattened out for us."

Two-minute drill

Rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims rejoined the Jets after attending to a family emergency in Texas last week. He’s in the COVID-19 protocol and could be cleared to play this week . . . Kicker Sam Ficken (groin) has a chance to return from injured reserve and could replace Sergio Castillo, who missed three field goals on Sunday. The Jets also claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin off waivers from Jacksonville and defensive lineman Trevon Coley from Arizona . . . Safety Saquan Hampton ruptured his Achilles tendon in his Jets debut, ending his season.