Offensive line problems piling up
The Jets’ offensive line is seemingly holding on by a thread. Left guard Alex Lewis did not participate in practice and was listed with a neck injury on the injury report Friday. That comes while Kelechi Osemele is in a dispute with the team regarding whether he needs shoulder surgery, leaving a hefty gap on the left side of the O-line. There were no immediate updates with specifics on Lewis’ injury. Center Ryan Kalil, who came out of a brief retirement to sign with the Jets this offseason, apparently hurt his shoulder during practice Thursday and was originally not supposed to practice Friday. But in an odd turn of events, Kalil participated on a limited basis and hasn’t been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
“He’s more sore right now,” coach Adam Gase said of Kalil before practice Friday. “We’re just going through the procedure we have to go through with the training staff. Today he can’t go, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings. And see how he feels as the rest of the week goes on.”
The Jets (1-4) will have to prepare for New England, which has the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL, with scarce options to protect recently recovered quarterback Sam Darnold. Backup center Jonotthan Harrison likely will start if Kalil is unable to take the field.
➤ Gase said he’s looking forward to the imminent return of linebacker C. J. Mosley, who declared Thursday he would play Monday, after being sidelined for the past four games with a groin injury.
“I love the fact that he’s ready to go,” Gase said before practice, in which Mosley participated in team drills for the first time since his injury. “It’s like getting your quarterback back on defense.”
The 27-year-old linebacker was limited to individual drills Thursday after Gase characterized him as dayto-day. Mosley practiced with the team Friday, though he was limited.
➤ LT Kelvin Beachum (ankle), TE Chris Herndon (hamstring), RB Trenton Cannon (foot/ankle), Osemele (shoulder) and LB Albert McClellan (concussion protocol) did not practice Friday. LB Neville Hewitt, Harrison and Mosley were limited. DL Henry Anderson did individual work. CB Darryl Roberts was limited Friday after suffering an ankle issue Thursday.