Frank Gore may have played his final game in the NFL after New York Jets head coach Adam Gase confirmed he will not be available for their season finale with the New England Patriots. 

Gore became the third player to reach 16,000 rushing yards on Sunday as the Jets claimed their second successive win, defeating the Cleveland Browns 23-16 at MetLife Stadium. 

Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton are the only other players to reach that milestone. 

The 2020 campaign marked the 37-year-old's 16th season in the NFL but it is unclear whether a Hall-of-Fame career will stretch into year number 17. 

"He may try to play again, I'm not sure," Gase told the media on Monday. "As far as what he's done this year, he's helped keep the guys together.

"He's been great with the young players, they've seen him work and understand that no matter what the record is this is how you're supposed to come to work and play the game. I can't say enough of his leading by example."

Gore, who spent his first 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, has previously stated his desire to retire as a member of the Niners, who drafted him in the third round in 2005. 

He topped 1,000 rushing yards in eight of his 10 seasons in San Francisco, playing in the NFC Championship game in three successive seasons from 2011 to 2013. He was part of the 49ers team that lost Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2012 season. 

A five-time Pro Bowler and member of the 2010s All-Decade team, Gore holds the record for the most games played by a running back with 241. 

In addition to his 16,000 yards on the ground, Gore, who has also played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, has 81 rushing touchdowns, as well as 484 receptions for 3,985 yards and 18 touchdowns.