Jets may get Mangold back for game against Colts

Nick Mangold might be back anchoring the New York Jets’ offensive line for the first time in six weeks.

The veteran center fully practiced Thursday, putting him on track to play Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Mangold sprained his right ankle on Oct. 23 against Baltimore and hadn’t been a full participant since.

“He’s taking reps,” coach Todd Bowles said. “We’ll see how he feels at the end of the week.”

Mangold has been forced to sit out four games while Wesley Johnson filled in for him.

Five starters sat out practice Thursday, including wide receiver Brandon Marshall (foot, knee), right tackle Breno Giacomini (back, shoulder), linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle), nose tackle Steve McLendon (hamstring) and safety Calvin Pryor (concussion). Rookie wide receiver Jalin Marshall (concussion) was also sidelined.

Bowles said it’s too early to rule out any of the players for the game.

Brandon Marshall has been dealing with pain in his left knee and foot since having his leg twisted under him on a tackle by Buffalo’s Stephon Gilmore in Week 2. He has played in every game this season despite his ailing leg. “I think he’s sore,” Bowles said. Giacomini has played in and started four games since returning from the physically unable to perform list because of a lowerback injury that sidelined him for most of the offseason. Bowles was

uncertain if the latest injury was related to the previous one.

“I’m hoping it’s not,”

Bowles said. “We’ll see how he feels (Friday), but I think it’s the same area.”

While Pryor left the game against New England last Sunday with his concussion, it wasn’t until Wednesday that Jalin Marshall began to complain about his

head bothering him. Both are in the league’s concussion protocol.

McLendon was questionable with a sore hamstring heading into the game against the Patriots and Bowles said he aggravated it while playing.

“He came out of the game pretty early, Bowles said. I don’t know how sore it is going to be.”

Linebacker Bruce Carter (quadriceps) and cornerbacks Nick Marshall (ankle) and Marcus Williams (ankle) were limited.