:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65502728/1170378651.jpg.0.jpg)
A few days ago reports came out that Jets guard Kelechi Osemele was having surgery on an injured shoulder, and his season was over. Adam Gase subsequently wouldn’t confirm those reports. It might not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but there is apparently a great deal of disagreement between team and player.
The shoulder injury keeping Kelechi Osemele sidelined is a pre-existing injury from his time with the #Raiders, not a new one from his time with the #Jets. He did not hurt his shoulder in New York.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 18, 2019
Two separate doctors cleared Osemele to play. He decided himself to have surgery.
Jets OL Kelechi Osemele has been told by two doctors that he needs shoulder surgery, per source.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) October 18, 2019
The source says the Jets have been attempting to delay surgery by sending blank and incorrect MRI images to doctors...even going as far as refusing to release workers comp forms.
So, here’s the deal w/ Kelechi Osemele/#Jets:
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) October 18, 2019
- Osemele says he needs shoulder surgery & says 2 docs confirmed that.
- Source says 2 docs have actually cleared Osemele to play, say injury is pre-existing & can play thru it.
- Jets want Osemele to practice Sat or face discipline.
Alex Lewis has played effectively in Osemele’s absence the last two weeks. A few reports have suggested that Lewis would be starting over a healthy Osemele at this point. In that context, it seems a bit odd that the Jets would put up a fight over this. Osemele is a likely cap casualty at the end of the season anyway.
In general I am uneasy about somebody telling an injured player they have to play. These guys know their own bodies better than anybody else.
This situation seems to be turning ugly. Hopefully cooler heads eventually prevail.