FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Nick Mangold's sprained right ankle still isn't right.
The New York Jets center, injured nearly five weeks ago, watched the start of practice in street clothes Wednesday as the team began preparations for Sunday against the New England Patriots. It's certainly not a good sign, especially after a bye week.
Mangold, who missed only four games in his first 10 seasons, has sat out for three straight games. Many figured he'd benefit from the bye week and would be good to go, but this is clearly more than a typical ankle sprain. He was injured in Week 7 when teammate Ryan Clady rolled up the back of his leg against the Baltimore Ravens.
After practice, coach Todd Bowles didn't sound optimistic about Mangold. He acknowledged that season-ending injured reserve could be an option at some point.
"Not yet, but we'll have to talk about it if he doesn't get better," Bowles said. "For me, if you're not practicing, you're not improving."
Asked if surgery is a possibility, Bowles said, "Not at this time."
The Jets aren't calling it a high-ankle sprain. Bowles, never one to use medical terms, simply called it "a bad ankle sprain."
Two weeks ago, Mangold admitted he suffered a setback, blaming his own "stupidity" for pushing himself too hard in his rehab. At the time, he sounded optimistic about his chances of returning at some point during the season even though he declined to specify the extent of the damage.
The New York Jets center, injured nearly five weeks ago, watched the start of practice in street clothes Wednesday as the team began preparations for Sunday against the New England Patriots. It's certainly not a good sign, especially after a bye week.
Mangold, who missed only four games in his first 10 seasons, has sat out for three straight games. Many figured he'd benefit from the bye week and would be good to go, but this is clearly more than a typical ankle sprain. He was injured in Week 7 when teammate Ryan Clady rolled up the back of his leg against the Baltimore Ravens.
After practice, coach Todd Bowles didn't sound optimistic about Mangold. He acknowledged that season-ending injured reserve could be an option at some point.
"Not yet, but we'll have to talk about it if he doesn't get better," Bowles said. "For me, if you're not practicing, you're not improving."
Asked if surgery is a possibility, Bowles said, "Not at this time."
The Jets aren't calling it a high-ankle sprain. Bowles, never one to use medical terms, simply called it "a bad ankle sprain."
Two weeks ago, Mangold admitted he suffered a setback, blaming his own "stupidity" for pushing himself too hard in his rehab. At the time, he sounded optimistic about his chances of returning at some point during the season even though he declined to specify the extent of the damage.
