New York Jets guard Kelechi Osemele, engaged in an injury dispute with the organization, didn’t show up Friday to the team facility – and it was deemed an unexcused absence by the Jets, a source said.
Osemele was in Boston to have surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, according to his agent, Andrew Kessler. The procedure wasn’t authorized by the Jets.
The surgery didn’t come as a surprise, as Osemele indicated Wednesday that he was planning to have the surgery whether he received authorization or not.
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The Jets continue to fine him for conduct detrimental to the team. Osemele said he’s being fined the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. In his case, that’s $579,000 per week, the amount of his game checks.
Coach Adam Gase refused to comment Friday. No one from the organization has commented on the controversy, which exploded last Friday when Osemele revealed to reporters that he needed surgery.
The two sides agree that Osemele has a torn labrum, but they disagree on when he should have the surgery. The Jets believe he can play through the injury, a source said. Osemele said he’s in too much pain and needs immediate surgery.
On Wednesday, Osemele posted on social media a note from his third-opinion doctor, stating he needs surgery to repair a posterior/inferior labral tear and remove a large cyst. The doctor, Glen Ross, is performing the arthroscopy.
On Thursday, the NFLPA tweeted a statement, expressing its support for Osemele and saying it will explore its options.
Osemele, one of the Jets’ big off-season acquisitions, started the first three games after injuring his shoulder Aug.5 in a training-camp practice. He said he needed Toradol injections, prescribed by the team, to play through the pain.
Osemele said the team “wants me to keep taking Toradol and brace it up.” Sources said the team is suspicious of the timing because it claims that Osemele didn’t start complaining until he was on the verge of losing his starting job after Week 3.
Financially, it behooves him to have the surgery now so he can rehab and be healthy for the offseason, when he presumably will be released by the Jets.
The Jets acquired Osemele in a March trade with the Oakland Raiders. His salary is $9.85 million this season, which became guaranteed when he made the opening-day roster. His 2020 salary ($11.35 million) is not guaranteed.
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