Jets’ Kelechi Osemele Undergoes Surgery

Even though the Jets have oddly listed Kelechi Osemele as doubtful for Week 8, the veteran guard has a clearer timetable now. Osemele followed through with the shoulder surgery he planned to have, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. He will certainly not be playing in Week 8 or for the foreseeable future.

Osemele and the Jets have been at odds over his injury, with the team taking the stance the offseason trade acquisition could play through this pain while Osemele has contended he could not. It’s certainly possible his Jets tenure will be capped at three games.

The Jets were rumored to be considering Alex Lewis to start over Osemele anyway, and the ex-Ravens guard will continue to man the team’s left guard spot. The Jets fined Osemele for not practicing last weekend, taking an unusual position on this matter — one the NFLPA will contest on Osemele’s behalf, if necessary. The Jets are expected to release the 30-year-old lineman in the offseason, doing so rather than having to pay his $11.35MM 2020 salary. None of that money is guaranteed.

The former All-Pro blocker has battled injuries over the past two years, and his camp indicates even with pain-killing assistance he could not play through this pain. The Jets’ stance may not be going over especially well with some of their roster, with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweeting the team’s actions have raised eyebrows.

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