Jets' Osemele independently schedules surgery, continues incurring fines
Shoulder-gate continues for the New York Jets and guard Kelechi Osemele.
The Jets offensive lineman will undergo shoulder surgery Friday after getting a third opinion recommending the procedure as necessary, Osemele told reporters Wednesday, including SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.
The eight-year veteran added that general manager Joe Douglas is "upset" with his choice to undergo surgery. Osemele has the support of his teammates, who told him what the Jets are doing is "bullshit," per The Athletic's Connor Hughes.
Kelechi Osemele says the Jets believe that he can play through his injury because he's been playing with it and it shouldn't have gotten any worse
- Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) October 23, 2019
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The Jets have been fining Osemele the maximum for every day he misses practice, according to NY Daily News' Manish Mehta. That comes out to $579,411.77 per week, or a full game check, according to Vacchiano. The 30-year-old has responded to the fines by filing a grievance, according to Mehta.
Osemele said that Douglas admitted to him that the team accidentally sent blank MRIs to doctors, and Douglas said it was an "honest mistake" by the Jets. Osemele added that he hasn't spoken to head coach Adam Gase in weeks.
The Jets are still fining Kelechi Osemele for "conduct detrimental to the team," including for not practicing today and not playing Monday night.
- Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) October 23, 2019
Osemele calls the situation "slightly disrespectful"
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Osemele did not mince words when asked about his future with the team, saying he fully expects to be cut in the offseason, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. of The Associated Press.
"He's played his last down for that team. He's gone. It's just a question of when," an NFL source told Vacchiano.
Osemele said his recovery time is pegged at four-to-six months, after which the veteran hopes to continue his NFL career with a new squad, according to Mehta.
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