Jets & G Kelechi Osemele At Odds Over Shoulder Issue

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Jets G Kelechi Osemele says he needs shoulder surgery, however, the team has not yet authorized it. 

• The Athletic’s Connor Hughes reports the injury is a pre-existing one from Osemele’s time with the Raiders before joining the Jets. He adds two separate doctors have cleared Osemele to play but the veteran believes he needs surgery.
• Hughes mentions that the Jets plan to fine Osemele for conduct detrimental to the team if he doesn’t practice Saturday. 
• A source tells Adam Lefkoe of B/R that the Jets have been attempting to delay Osemele’s surgery by sending blank and incorrect MRI images to doctors, even going as far as refusing to release workers comp forms.

Earlier in the week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Osemele was set to have surgery to repair his shoulder. Although, it appears as though the Jets are attempting to prevent him from having the season-ending procedure. 

Osemele has come up as a potential trade candidate for the Jets if healthy, but it’s safe to say that won’t be happening now. 

The Jets were reportedly weighing a potential change at left guard anyways, so this will open the door for Alex Lewis to take over for Osemele.

Osemele, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Ravens back in 2012. He played out his rookie contract with the Ravens before signing a five year, $58.5 million contract with the Raiders back in 2016.

The Raiders traded Osemele to the Jets this offseason for a fifth-round pick. He stands to make base salaries of $9.7 million and $11.2 million over the next two years of the agreement.

In 2019, Osemele has appeared in three games for the Jets, making three starts.