Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley said things are “progressing” with his neck injury but he's still unsure if he can play Sunday against the Seahawks.
“[Monday] “It was my first time wearing a helmet,” Mosley said. “I don't want to go too fast. Just taking it one day at a time. It's been progressing every day, every week. Just trying to stay positive with it. Today, I made some eye-catching hits, made some light tackles. That's really what We're in it now and until I hit someone and feel the effect of my neck turning, until then I can't really give you 100 percent but I'm definitely heading in the right direction.
Mosley suffered a herniated disc in his neck during pregame warmups before the Jets played the Patriots on October 27. He missed that match and the three matches since.
At first, Mosley couldn't move his neck and feared his career was over. Since then, he has regained his mobility and doctors have told him he will not need surgery, giving him hope that he can return to the field soon.
Mosley isn't the only Jets player dealing with a neck injury.
LT Tyron Smith missed the team's last game against the Colts due to a neck issue he suffered in Arizona on November 10. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich did not sound optimistic that Smith might return this week.
“We're still gathering information just to make sure that not only this football player, but this guy, we have every piece of information before we put him back on the field,” Ulbrich said. “We are still gathering information and making sure we are making the best decision, which is more important to him than the progress of the aircraft.”
Rookie Olu Fashanu started in Smith's place against the Colts.
Ulbrich would neither confirm nor deny a report from The Athletic that he benched safety Tony Adams at the request of owner Woody Johnson.
“Guys, I'm preaching to the guys about that single-minded focus of going forward and pouring everything into this Seahawks team and preparing and owning that process,” Ulbrich said.
“Guys, I have to live that too. I can't sit here and talk about things that may or may not have happened. Mr. Johnson and I, we have a great dialogue. We have a consistent dialogue. We talk all the time. We've had very honest conversations and I would like to preserve those conversations.” “Between us.”