TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Jay Ajayi #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jay Ajayi is not quite 10 months removed from a torn ACL, but he has been medically cleared in time to hit training camp with a team.
In Week 5 last year, in the final year of his contract, Jay Ajayi suffered a torn ACL. Bad timing for sure, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday Ajayi has been medically cleared by Dr. James Andrews.
Ajayi was supposed to be the Philadelphia Eagles’ lead running back during his first full season with the team last year, but it wasn’t to be. He suffered a back injury in Week 2, missed a game in Week 3 and then tore his ACL in Week 5. A return to the Eagles this offseason seemed possible, but they traded for Jordan Howard, drafted Miles Sanders and most recently brought back Darren Sproles.
Ajayi took a visit with the Indianapolis Colts in March, but nothing came of it and they eventually signed Spencer Ware as their No. 3 running back.
It seems like longer ago, but it was only 2016 when Ajayi had a breakout season with the Miami Dolphins as he had 1,272 yards (fourth in the league) and eight touchdowns along with three 200-yard games in 12 starts. But he fell out of favor with head coach Adam Gase, and the Dolphins traded him to the Eagles in 2017. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry over seven regular season games with Philadelphia that season, and over the Eagles’ first two playoff games on their way to a Super Bowl win he had 33 carries for 127 yards along with six catches for 70 yards.
Ajayi has been cleared in time to pretty much start training camp with any team. He’ll probably still have to wait for an injury to open up a legit opportunity, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars or Carolina Panthers could consider taking an immediate flier.