With their season on the downslope, the blows continue to mount for the New York Jets, as they have announced that All-Pro center Nick Mangold has been placed on injured reserve.
We have placed C Nick Mangold on IR. pic.twitter.com/8UQS52dFHu
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2016
Just days after the star center re-injured his right ankle in a primetime blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, this move could mark the end of an illustrious Jets career for Mangold.
After missing four straight games with an injured right ankle, Mangold had finally returned to an offensive line in sore need of his steady presence.
With surgery looming for the 32-year-old center from Ohio State, as well as the fact that he is owed a non-guaranteed $6.1 million next season, the Jets may decide to move on from the player that has been the rock of their offense since being drafted in 2006.
If the Jets do decide to cut the seven-time Pro Bowler in the offseason, one can fully expect him to sign with a new team almost immediately, provided his medical checks out.
Regardless, this is a major blow for a Jets team that can use all the leadership it could get, as things continue to get worse for second-year head coach Todd Bowles.