NEW YORK — C.J. Mosley’s injury-shortened first season with the Jets is officially over.
The star linebacker was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after playing in just two games because of a severe groin injury suffered in New York’s season-opening loss to Buffalo.
Jets coach Adam Gase said during his weekly spot on "The Michael Kay Show" on 98.7 ESPN New York that Mosley will have surgery on what he called a "core muscle" injury.
"It gives us a chance to get him back in the spring and get him going for the off-season program," Gase said.
Mosley recently told ESPN he had a platelet-rich plasma injection that he hoped would heal the injury and he would be able to avoid surgery.
Instead, he’ll focus on returning next season.
After five seasons in Baltimore, the 27-year-old Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million free agent deal in March with the Jets that included $51 million guaranteed.
He was projected to be the quarterback of co-ordinator Gregg Williams’ defence, and he got off to a terrific start with his new team. Mosley had six tackles, returned an interception for a touchdown, recovered a fumble and had two passes defenced against the Bills — but hurt his groin while breaking up a play in the end zone near the end of the third quarter.
Mosley sat out four games before returning against New England on Oct. 21. He aggravated the injury during that game and acknowledged he wasn’t at full strength. Mosley had just three assisted tackles against the Patriots — the last game he’d play this year.
Despite Mosley’s absence, the Jets have played well overall on defence this season. New York is ranked No. 6 in the NFL in total yards allowed and No. 1 against the run.
Mosley is the 15th Jets player to end up on injured reserve, and the seventh starter — joining linebacker Avery Williamson, wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, centre Ryan Kalil, guard Brian Winters and tight end Chris Herndon.
The Jets filled Mosley’s roster spot by claiming safety Bennett Jackson off waivers from the Ravens. It’s the second time New York has claimed Jackson, doing so in September when he was cut by Baltimore. The Jets waived him a few weeks later and re-signed him to the practice squad, but the Ravens signed him to their active roster in October.
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