Cold shoulder
Jets fine guard Osemele after he misses practice with labrum injury
The standoff between the Jets and guard Kelechi Osemele reached another level Saturday when the team fined Osemele for conduct detrimental to the team after he refused to practice.
The situation has gotten ugly. Osemele believes he needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, but the team insists he can play through the injury and have surgery in the offseason.
Things came to a head Friday when the team informed Osemele he would be fined or suspended if he did not practice Saturday. Osemele said Friday he physically can’t play because of the pain in his shoulder.
Osemele first appeared on the injury report with a shoulder problem Oct. 2 and has not practiced or played since. That was after the Jets decided to bench the former All-Pro offensive lineman in favor of Alex Lewis.
Osemele said Friday he initially injured the shoulder in training camp then reinjured it against the Patriots on Sept. 22. His agent told The Athletic he required shots of the painkiller Toradol to play in the first three games. It is strange that he did not appear on the injury report before any of those games with a shoulder problem if he was receiving pain-killing injections.
Osemele said two doctors, including the Jets’ doctor, told him he needs surgery, but the team has not approved it. A source said that was not true and two doctors have told Osemele he can play through the injury then get the labrum tear repaired after the season.
It is possible Osemele could now file a grievance with the Players Association against the Jets to try to fight the fine and resolve the issue of whether he does need surgery.
“We will always act accordingly and protect all of Kelechi’s rights under the CBA,” said Osemele’s agent, Andrew Kessler.
The Jets traded for the 30-year-old in March, sending fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Raiders. Osemele is making $9.85 million this season but has no more guaranteed money in his contract.
In other injury news, linebacker C.J. Mosley was limited in practice on Saturday and is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Patriots. All indications are that he will play for the first time since Week 1 against the Bills.
Offensive linemen Ryan Kalil (shoulder), Brian Winters (shoulder/knee) and Lewis (neck) are listed as questionable. Kalil did not practice Saturday. The others were limited. The expectation is that they all can play. Tackle Kelvin Beachum (ankle) is doubtful and is not expected to play. The Jets can start either Brandon Shell or Chuma Edoga in his place, with the other at right tackle.
TE Chris Herndon (hamstring), DL Henry Anderson (shoulder) and LB Neville Hewitt (neck/knee) are doubtful for the game.
DL Steve McLendon (hamstring), CB Darryl Roberts (ankle) and WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) are questionable.