The New York Jets have released offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, according to the team.
Osemele and the Jets did not end on good terms, to say the least.
The guard, whom New York acquired via trade with the Oakland Raiders during the offseason, suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder during his team's Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots and underwent surgery to repair it on Friday.
The catch is that Oseleme underwent the procedure without the Jets' permission.
But it goes even deeper than that.
Osemele is now threatening legal action against New York's team doctors for violating state medical board regulations. The Jets thought he could play through the injury, but Osemele disagreed, saying he was in too much pain.
The two-time Pro Bowler took to social media on Wednesday to post a note from his third-opinion doctor, who said he needed surgery to repair the tear and to remove a large cyst.
The NFL Players Association then expressed its support for Osemele on Thursday and said it will look at other options.
Oseleme did not show up to the Jets facility on Friday and was released not long after.
The 30-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Iowa State, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round (60th pick overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens before joining the Raiders in 2016, where he went on to make back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, including a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017.
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