The saga between Kelechi Osemele and the New York Jets continues to escalate as the days pass by. On Saturday, Osemele received a fine for refusing to practice with the team, per Ralph Vacchiano.
UPDATED: Standoff with Kelechi Osemele heats up as Jets fine their guard for refusing to practice
Full details here: https://t.co/apwsfxWcSp pic.twitter.com/cQx8PUaPOr
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) October 19, 2019
The standoff between both sides began when the veteran offensive linemen discovered that he had a torn labrum since Week 3. According to Osemele and his agent, a team doctor and an independent doctor have advised him to undergo season-ending surgery.
Despite professional doctors informing him of needing surgery, the Jets believe that Osemele is able to play through the injury. As a result, the team fined the 30-year-old offensive lineman an undisclosed amount for not practicing this week.
Prior to the fine on Saturday, Osemele's agent expressed his disappointment in the Jets' organization.
“Kelechi has a torn labrum, there is no debate about this as every doctor who has evaluated him agrees about that,” Kessler wrote. ”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.
To no one's surprise, this situation likely has everything to do with money. In the event that Osemele was placed on injured reserve, it would force New York to pay him the rest of his salary for the season.
However, if he were to play through the injury and be released; he would lose the rest of his salary for 2019. At this point, the relationship between the player and the franchise is irreparable.
With that being said, Osemele and his agent are going to appeal any fines that come his way. Undoubtedly, there will be more fallout from this situation in the coming days.
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