One of the areas that the Redskins must shore up if they are going to be a true contender to go deep into the playoffs is their rushing defense.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they will be tested much when they take on the New York Jets tomorrow night at FedEx Field.

When the Redskins played the Jets in Week 6 last year Chris Ivory ran all over them, gaining 146 yards on 20 carries. The Redskins will not see Ivory on Sunday; he left to sign a free agent contract with the Jaguars.

The Jets signed veteran Matt Forte to take Ivory’s spot as their top running back. But he has been suffering from a hamstring injury. There were reports earlier in the week that Forte wouldn’t play but Jets coach Todd Bowles revised that slightly yesterday. He said that Forte will warm up prior to the game and that there is a “slim” chance that he will play.

I don’t know about you but I have never seen a veteran running back given a slight chance of playing in the second preseason game who actually played in the game. It seems safe to rule Forte out.

Bernard Pierce, who was listed as the Jets’ third-string running back, was recently put on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. New York signed Antone Smith to take his roster spot.

The absence of Forte and the departure of Pierce leaves Bilal Powell, who gained 313 yards on 70 carries for the Jets last year, as New York’s top back for Friday.

Among the running backs further down the depth chart is Lache Seastrunk, a former sixth-round pick of the Redskins who flashed some speed in the 2014 preseason but did not make the roster. He has bounced around on a few practice squads but he has yet to be on the active roster for an NFL game. Seastrunk did play some in Canada. The Jets signed him earlier this week and he could see some action on Friday.

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