Kelechi Osemele injury update: Jets guard (shoulder) gets doctor's, NFLPA's backing

Bob Hille

•
Kelechi Osemele injury update: Jets guard (shoulder) gets doctor's, NFLPA's backing image

The curious case of Kelechi Osemele's disagreement with the Jets about the guard's shoulder injury continued to get stranger Thursday.

To recount: Osemele, who said last week he needs surgery for a torn labrum that the Jets haven't approved, is being fined by the team for missing practice as conduct detrimental to the team.

On Wednesday, he said after receiving a third opinion on the shoulder, he will have surgery Friday, with or without the team's OK, according to multiple reports.

The NFLPA on Thursday came out in support of Osemele, saying, in part, in a statement, "It is not appropriate or ethical for employers in any line of work to dictate the medical care and treatment of any employee. We are considering all options to protect Kelechi Osemele, as we would for any of our members."

According to ESPN, Osemele's agents say even the Jets' insurance provider has authorized the surgery, and late Thursday Osemele posted on Instagram what he described as a letter from the doctor who examined him Tuesday.

The letter, from Dr. Glen Ross, read in part: "It is of my medical opinion that Kelechi should undergo a right shoulder arthroscopy, labral repair and cyst debridement."

Osemele reiterated that he would undergo the surgery Friday, with or without the Jets' OK.

"I want to make sure Jets (f)ans and my fans know that I want to be out there playing but I am truly unable to at this time," Osemele continued in his caption to the letter on Instagram.

Earlier Wednesday, when Osemele spoke to reporters, he said he hasn't spoken to Jets coach Adam Gase in weeks, adding he has told teammates what is going on and they told him what the team is doing “is bullsh—.” Osemele described the situation as "slightly disrespectful."

Asked Thursday to comment on the situation and why he hasn't spoken to Osemele, Gase declined, saying that he hadn't seen the injured player (via SNY): “He’s injured. He’s in the trainers room. I’m trying to get ready for the next opponent.“

However, ESPN.com noted that "(t)his is a legal issue, as Osemele has filed a grievance. Therefore, anything Gase says to the player could be used in the legal process. That certainly could be a factor."

Osemele would miss the rest of the season if he has the surgery but remains under contract for 2020. He has a $9.7 million base salary this year that the Jets would have to pay him, whether he ends up on season-ending injured reserve or, as the Jets' stance appears to be, plays through the injury. Alex Lewis has replaced him at left guard in the lineup the past two games.

Osemele is due $11.2 million in base salary in 2020.

An eight-year veteran in his first season with the Jets, Osemele says he will pursue a grievance against the team because of the fines and expects to be cut after the season.

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).