New York Jets center Nick Mangold is expected to miss 2-3 weeks due to a high ankle sprain, according to a source Brian Costello of the New York Post cites. The team performed an MRI on the three-time Pro Bowler, who left Sunday's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter, on Monday.
The injury will end Mangold's ironman streak, as the five-year veteran has never missed a game in his career. He joins Rob Turner among wounded Jets centers, leaving New York with only waiver-wire pickup Colin Baxter available to play the position, at least for now. As Gang Green Nation notes, the Jets could look to sign a more qualified free-agent offensive lineman to fill the void while Mangold recovers. Given how poorly the Jets' line has protected quarterback Mark Sanchez in the pocket, such a move may be a priority.
New York's next three games are against the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots; all are on the road. Such a slate would challenge the Jets even if they had their All-Pro center available. But indeed that stretch has gotten more difficult with this news.