We finally know why Adam Gase hasn’t spoken with Kelechi Osemele.
The Jets coach told reporters Thursday he hasn’t talked to the guard in weeks because “he hasn’t asked to speak to me.” Gase went on to explain he has other jobs to do than converse with injured players, despite the team claiming Osemele is healthy enough to play through his shoulder injury.
Gase’s comments are the first time any member of the Jets has publicly talked about the standoff with Osemele. General manager Joe Douglas has remained silent on the matter, though he told Osemele he was “upset” with his decision to have surgery, per Osemele himself.
The NFL Players Association also weighed in on Osemele’s fight with the Jets, and unsurprisingly took a hard stance in support of Osemele. In a statement released on Twitter, the NFLPA said it is considering “all options” to protect Osemele after the Jets refused to let him have surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Osemele and the Jets have gone back and forth over the severity of his injury and when he needed surgery, but Osemele told reporters Wednesday he would have the surgery without the Jets’ authorization after a third doctor determined his injury was too severe to continue playing.
“It’s really their decision to choose to authorize it or not,” Osemele said Wednesday. “But I have to take care of my body, I got to take care of my health. You know, I’ve got a family, so I’m going to take care of myself.”
With all the conflicting reports surrounding the situation, Osemele posted a photo on Instagram of a doctor’s note from Dr. Glen Ross of the Boston-based Pro Sports Orthopedics that stated Osemele “should undergo a right shoulder arthroscopy, labral repair and cyst debridement.”
Osemele filed a grievance against the Jets on Monday after the team fined him for every day that he’s missed practice since Oct. 19. He expects to be cut by the team when the season ends, if not sooner.
