Former NFL Team Doctor Says Jets' CJ Uzomah Clear of Major Injury
It was a bit of a buzzkill at the end of a productive series of New York Jets' organized team activities.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah, who appeared to have been establishing a good rapport with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, went down to the ground during Gang Green's final Phase 3 OTAs practice on June 9.
In a practice session open to the media, Uzomah awkwardly twisted a leg while running routes and subsequently limped off the field flanked by two trainers.
It now appears that the veteran tight end has avoided a serious injury, according to an evaluation by Dr. David Chao. The @ProFootballDoc, who spent 17 years as San Diego Chargers' team doctor, took to Twitter to share a probable diagnosis.
"We can all R-E-L-A-X," said Chao in a tweet. "Just saw some video that shows less twisting than change of direction. Likely quad strain which is way better than other possibilities!"
He followed up by quote tweeting a video from Associated Press reporter Dennis Waszak with a message reading, "more evidence of quad strain and not knee ligament."
Uzomah, who is in the second season of a three-year deal he signed with the Jets in 2022, could prove to be a valuable weapon for Rodgers in 2023. Over his career, the veteran quarterback has shown a tendency to throw to the tight end in key spots and Uzomah provides a large target at 6'6" tall.
"I think there was another one that they threw out there where he threw it to C.J. Uzomah. It was a dirty throw," said third-year head coach Robert Saleh about a completion from a June 5 practice.
Uzomah and Rodgers have also developed an off-field relationship over the past six weeks. The 30-year old tight end was part of a Rodgers-led contingent that attended the Broadway musical "Wicked" this spring.
"We have nice talks about Broadway shows, sometimes, which is nice. I'm a big Broadway guy, he's a big Broadway way guy, doing stuff in the City," said Uzomah after an OTAs practice. "We've had some good conversation outside of football. He's one of the boys. He's one of the homies."
In terms of the transition into Nathaniel Hackett's offensive scheme, Uzomah credited Rodgers's presence in meetings as a helpful force.
"Meetings. Meetings is the biggest, is where we feel his presence the most, because it's not just someone talking to you. It's, 'Hey, we're gonna stop for a second and talk about this,' just so we're all on the same page," said Uzomah.
The former Cincinnati Bengals' fifth-round draft pick put forth a pedestrian statistical performance during his first year as a Jet. Targeted only 27 times in the passing game, Uzomah made 21 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Uzomah played under a much stabler quarterback situation during the 2021 campaign, producing a career year in his seventh, and final, season as a Bengal.
In the year prior to landing with the Jets, Uzomah set career highs with quarterback Joe Burrow at the controls. The Auburn product caught 49 of 63 targets for a career-best 493 yards and five scores. Nearly half of his receptions resulted in first downs (24).
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