Report: Jets fine Osemele for not practicing
The New York Jets have fined guard Kelechi Osemele an undisclosed amount for conduct detrimental to the team after the 30-year-old didn't practice as required Saturday, a source told ESPN's Rich Cimini.
The discipline comes as the two sides continue to disagree on the severity of Osemele's shoulder injury.
Doctors reportedly told the Jets that the 30-year-old can play through the ailment, while Osemele said he was informed he needed surgery as soon as possible to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Osemele first suffered the injury on Aug. 5 and re-aggravated it in Week 3. He hasn't played since.
"It's pain, it's strength, it's instability," Osemele said. "I can't lock my arm out. I can't stop a guy from bull-rushing me. I just can't do my job."
The Jets informed the eight-year veteran that he would be subject to a fine or suspension if he didn't practice Saturday. Osemele reportedly made an appearance at the facility but didn't participate in team activities.
Osemele's camp is evidently displeased with the team's handling of the issue, despite Osemele's recent praise of general manager Joe Douglas.
"Kelechi has a torn labrum, there is no debate about this as every doctor who has evaluated him agrees about that," Osmele's agent, Andrew Kessler, wrote in an emailed statement to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "He has been advised by the second-opinion doctor that the timing of the need for surgery is based on his symptoms. His symptoms currently dictate that he needs surgery.
"For the team to question the integrity of how he has told them he is physically feeling is disappointing, to say the least. It is hardly putting a priority on player safety."
Osemele is listed as doubtful for the team's Monday Night Football matchup with the New England Patriots.