Jets linebacker CJ Mosley said his neck injury is “progressing” but he doesn't yet know if he'll be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks.
“[Monday] It was my first time wearing a helmet,” Mosley said. “I don't want to rush too much. I'm just taking it one day at a time. I'm improving day by day, week by week. I'm just trying to stay positive about it. Today I'm going to try to hit a little bit more, make some light tackles. That's exactly where we are now. I won't be 100 percent sure until I actually bump into someone and feel that neck-squeezing impact, but I'm definitely on the right track. Masu.”
Mosley suffered a herniated disc in his neck during pregame warmups before the Jets faced the Patriots on October 27, and missed that game and the next three games.
Mosley was initially unable to move his neck and feared his career would be over. Since then, he has regained his movement, and doctors have told him he won't need surgery and is hopeful he can return to the field soon.
Mosley isn't the only Jets starter dealing with a neck injury.
LT Tyron Smith suffered a neck problem on Nov. 10 at Arizona State and missed the team's final game against the Colts. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich didn't seem hopeful that Smith would be able to return this week.
“We're still gathering information to make sure we have all the information before we put him back on the field, not only for this football player, but for this player as well,” Ulbrich said. . “We're still gathering information and trying to make the best decision for him rather than the Jets moving forward.”
Rookie Olu Fashanu started in Smith's place against the Colts.
Ulbrich would not confirm or deny a report in The Athletic that he benched safety Tony Adams at the request of owner Woody Johnson.
“Guys, I'm preaching to our players about this singular focus going forward, and I'm preaching to them about this Seahawks team and their preparation and putting everything into this process,” Ulbrich said.
“Guys, I have to live it too. I can't sit here and talk about what may or may not have happened. Mr. Johnson and I had a great conversation. We have a consistent dialogue. We talk all the time. We have very honest conversations, and we want to keep those conversations going between the two of us. ”
