Tape doesn’t lie, and neither did C.J. Mosley.
Mosley admitted what was obvious to the naked eye during the Jets’ 33-0 loss to the Patriots on Monday: He was playing through a groin injury, which appeared to limit his top speed and change of direction.
It was a surprise to head coach Adam Gase, who didn’t think the Jets were rushing their star linebacker back.
“Going into the game, I would’ve said no. From what we saw, he looked good,” Gase said. “That’s why we are going to keep looking at this, and keep a close eye on him, and keep in communication with him, and just try to figure out what we need to do to where he feels like he did going into that first game.”
Mosley had six tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in the season-opening loss to the Bills, but he missed the next four games with a groin injury. He compared the discomfort he experienced Monday to playing with a pulled muscle.
On Sony Michel’s first of three touchdown runs — a toss left from the 3-yard line — a gingerly jogging Mosley trailed the play rather than taking a cut-off angle. Michel later dropped his shoulder and ran over Mosley.
The linebacker was pulled in the second half, once the game was out of hand.
“Where it’s at, it will affect every move that I make at my position,” Mosley said. “Unless I don’t play at all, that’s the only way it’s going to get better. So that’s not really in my plans, not to play for the rest of the season.”
Other injury updates, according to Gase: Center Ryan Kalil (elbow) is “day-to-day” and could miss a practice. … QB Sam Darnold had a toenail removed, a result of getting stepped on and playing the rest of the game with a wrapped toe. … RB Trenton Cannon (foot) is headed for another MRI exam because “we’re trying to figure out what’s going on.” … Tackle Kelvin Beachum (ankle) and TE Chris Herndon (hamstring) are both “progressing,” while LB Neville Hewitt and DL Henry Anderson will be limited in practice this week. … LB Albert McClellan remains in concussion protocol.
The NFL trade deadline is next Tuesday and the Jets (1-5) are positioned as sellers. General manager Joe Douglas could look to stock up on future draft picks.
“I always look at it as we have a long ways to go in the season, a lot of things can happen, a lot of things can change,” Gase said. “We are always looking to compete and put the best team we can out on the field. As far as us being active, Joe is always going to be looking to do what’s best for the organization and what’s best for the team.”
The standoff between the Jets and guard Kelechi Osemele continues.
Osemele has said he needs season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and the Jets have said he can play through it. He was fined for missing practice Saturday and was inactive for Monday’s game.
“Anything that’s going on with that right now, I’m going to keep that in-house,” Gase said. “At the end of the day, I’m focused on getting ready for Jacksonville.”
For more on Darnold and the Jets’ Week 7 loss to the Patriots, listen to this episode of the Jets podcast, “Gang’s All Here”: