Jets LB C.J. Mosley Won't 'Rush It', Might Miss Third Straight Game With Groin Strain

Despite getting a bye week for further healing time, it seems like Mosley will have to sit out Week 5 at the Eagles.

With the groin strain to linebacker C.J. Mosley still lingering, it appears unlikely he'll return when the Jets (0-3) face the Eagles (2-2) in Week 5.

The four-time Pro Bowler, who has sat out the last two games, previously only missed three contests in his first five seasons. Mosley is taking a cautious approach with the nagging injury that he sustained in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. 

“I’ve made a lot of progress,” Mosley said. “I don’t want to rush it and then make the injury worse than what it already is.”

In a conference call on Monday, Mosley revealed the strain is to his upper quad, which has made the recovery process arduous. This absence is difficult for the previously sturdy Mosley, who is trying to remain engaged while sidelined. 

"It's definitely been frustrating. This is the most time I've missed since I played football," Mosley said. "So you just gotta try to stay with the program and pay attention in meetings like I'm getting ready to play every week..."

Mosley is still having issues with cutting and planting while running due to the effects of the injury. 

"So running straight ahead felt pretty good," Mosley said. "But cutting, those types of motions, those feel the same that are kinda up in the air. That's why I can't test it out because I can set it back more. That's been the tricky part to test out that full speed motion without damaging it more."

Mosley will continue to receive treatment and Jets coach Adam Gase said he likely won't practice on Wednesday. 

In addition to Mosley, the depleted Jets are dealing with many setbacks during this rough start to the season, including starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who remains a question mark for this Sunday while recovering from mono. 

In some positive news, the Jets are expected to have rookie defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (ankle) return vs. the Eagles.  

While having to move forward without their star linebacker and promising quarterback is unfortunate, Gase refuses to make excuses for the banged up Jets. 

“It’s a tough situation with some of these injuries to our better players, but… that’s the NFL,” Gase said. “That’s going on across the league.”