Kelechi Osemele To Have Shoulder Surgery Despite Lack Of Approval From Jets

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The New York Jets and Kelechi Osemele are not on the same page.

Osemele hasn’t played or practiced since September due to a shoulder injury. The offensive lineman says he needs surgery to repair the torn labrum that is ailing him, but the Jets say he can play through it, and they're not happy that he has been sitting out. 

The 30-year-old announced Wednesday that he is going through with the surgery on Friday, despite the fact that the Jets have yet to authorize it.

"I'm trying my best to do my rehab work and show up every day and be at meetings with everything I need to do," Osemele told reporters. "I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't frustrating to be in this position considering what I've been able to accomplish in this league and the type of player that I am. To be dealing with something like this is slightly disrespectful, but it's out of my control."

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Osemele told the media that he received a third opinion from a doctor who advised him to have surgery as the labrum is torn off the bone. According to a report by the Associated Press, a team doctor and an independent doctor both cleared Osemele to play with the idea that he could undergo surgery following the season.  

The injury occurred during New York’s loss to the Patriots in Foxborough on September 22. Alex Lewis has played at left guard in the veteran's absence. Osemele had said previously that the injury has robbed his shoulder of the strength to block.

Osemele has filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association as the Jets have been fining him the maximum amount for “conduct detrimental to the team” for every day he misses practice. He also said that he hasn't spoken to Adam Gase in "weeks" and that general manager Joe Douglas was “upset” when he informed Douglas that he was going through with the surgery.

Osemele says he intends to reutrn next year, but "absolutely" expects the Jets to cut him after the season.

All of this drama isn’t a great look for the Jets, especially on the back of a 33-0 rout by the Patriots. Gase’s team is 1-5 and is looking like a longshot to make the playoffs.