HEMPSTED, N.Y., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, who has a knee injury, will not play the rest of the season and his NFL career may be over, it was reported Tuesday.
The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger said several players and a team official told it Martin, fourth on the all-time NFL rushing list, will not play this season.
Martin had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in December but a bone-on-bone condition continues, the newspaper said.
Jets Coach Eric Mangini set a deadline of next week for Martin to return to practice. If he doesn't rejoin the team, the Jets would have to place the running back on injured reserve, ending his season.
The injury may be severe enough that the 33-year-old will not play again, the Star-Ledger said.
Martin, 33, has been with the Jets since 1998 and owns several team records, including yards (10,302), touchdowns (58) and 100-yard games (43).
In his career, which also includes three seasons with the New England Patriots, Martin has rushed for 14,101 yards and 90 touchdowns in 168 games.
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