Nick Mangold says he will not fly to Oakland with the team, meaning somebody else will start at center for the Jets in a regular season or Playoff game for the first time since 2005.
"Yes," Mangold said. "I think that (decision) has been made. I won’t be traveling, so I’ll be out."
This is not surprising in the least. High ankle sprains are serious business. That leaves rookie Colin Baxter to start in Nick's place at center on an offensive line that has had issues even with Mangold in there. This week's game against a good defensive line is going to provide a stiff test. Upcoming games against Baltimore and New England, which Mangold could very well miss will also. Not that there is ever a good time to lose the best center in football, but this is a really, really bad point in the schedule for it to happen.
Here goes nothing.