Jets Release G Kelechi Osemele, Promote LB James Burgess

The New York Jets announced Saturday that they’ve released OL Kelechi Osemele and promoted LB James Burgess to their active roster. 

• The Jets also signed LB Ukeme Eligwe to their practice squad.

We have released OL Kelechi Osemele and activated LB James Burgess from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/TGgnYUKkFx

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2019

Earlier in the day, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Osemele underwent shoulder surgery on Friday against the wishes of the team. 

According to Osemele’s agents, the damage to his shoulder was more extensive than anticipated and they are now considering specific action against the Jets’ team doctor along with the NFLPA for violations of State Medical Board Regulations.

Osemele explained that this is a 4-6 month recovery from surgery, but he “100 percent” wants to continue playing next year, per Manish Mehta. 

According to Osemele, the Jets have fined him the maximum amount and he has since filed a grievance against the team. 

Osemele said that Douglas admitted to him that the team inadvertently sent blank MRIs to doctors and he called it an “honest mistake” by the team, per Mehta.

The Jets claimed that the injury is a pre-existing one from Osemele’s time with the Raiders before joining the Jets, but multiple doctors have told Osemele that they believe he needs surgery.  

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 appeared in three games for the Jets, making three starts.