The Jets surprisingly decided against putting linebacker C.J. Mosley on injury reserve after he reaggravated a groin injury five weeks ago, but now Mosley believes he could play this season, possibly in Week 14.
Mosley received injections of platelet-rich plasma to help heal his injured groin this week. Those shots, he said, give him a “50-50” chance to play again this season.
“If I can do anything to avoid ending my season, I’m going to try it,” he said on Friday, per ESPN. “I’d rather do that than cut my body open. That was the thinking on that.”
The Jets gave Mosely a five-year, $85 million contract last offseason in the hopes he could strengthen the core of their defense. He played well in Week 1 against the Bills, but suffered a groin injury midway through the game. When he returned and reinjured himself in the Week 7 loss to the Patriots, the Jets said he could theoretically return in five-to-six weeks. Heading into what would be his fifth week of rehab, Mosley said he’s running again and hopes to get on the practice field soon.
While it may seem pointless for Mosley to risk a second aggravation in what is a lost season for the Jets, the linebacker feels it’s his responsibility as a captain to play. That’s a well-intentioned sentiment but looks more and more unlikely as the season progresses. Even Adam Gase remains at worst skeptical and at best noncommittal about Mosley’s return.
“We’re just kind of going through that process and see where it takes us,” he said. “I don’t really know the answer to that.”
Ultimately, it will come down to Mosley’s rehabilitation over the next few weeks. Mosley is positive but realistic when it comes to his availability in the few weeks left in the season. He said he’ll get surgery if his injury doesn’t heal over the next two weeks.
“I’m trying to do everything I can to avoid surgery and play,” he said. “Worst-case scenario: I’ll have to get surgery if next week doesn’t go well.”