Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley will be placed on IR with neck injury

NEW YORK — The Jets (3-9) have suffered from a horrific season, but the hits keep coming.

On Friday afternoon, Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced linebacker C.J. Mosley will be placed on injured reserve after being out the previous four weeks because of a herniated disk in his neck.

With five games remaining, Mosley’s time with the Jets could be over.

“A hard decision by a very (prideful) player, amazing player and leader,” Ulbrich said on Friday afternoon. “It was not an easy decision for him, but it is the best decision in our organization.”

Mosley, 32, has been absent since the Jets’ Week 8 loss to the Patriots. The veteran linebacker injured his neck during pregame warmups ahead of the game and hasn’t played since. Before that, Mosley injured his big toe in Week 2 against the Titans and missed three games.

With a new regime set to come in after coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas were fired during the season, Mosley’s time with the organization is likely over. He is under contract next year but has a $12.8 million cap number. If the Jets release Mosley with a June 1 designation, they would save $4 million.

In 2019, Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets. However, he only played in two games that season due to a groin injury. He missed the entire 2020 season after opting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2021, Mosley has been the Jets’ defensive leader. He has registered 495 tackles and 3.5 sacks during that span. He was also a 2022 second-team All-Pro and a 2022 Pro Bowler during that time.

In addition to Mosley being out against the Dolphins, cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and running back Breece Hall (knee) are doubtful to play. Ulbrich told reporters that right tackle Morgan Moses (knee, shoulder) and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) are “trending in the right direction.”

Hall’s injury dates back to the Jets’ loss to the Colts in Week 11 after a hyperextension of his knee, which according to Ulbrich, was “not feeling right.” Gardner injured his hamstring against the Seahawks during the second half.

With Hall likely not able to play Sunday, rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will likely receive more carries against Miami.

“Two rookies and Kene [Nwangwu], all three,” Ulbrich said about his running back unit against the Dolphins. “So, we hate to overuse a word, but we are fortunate in that way from the running back depth minus Breece, who from my opinion is one of the best running backs in this league.

“We still have one of the best running back rooms in the NFL without him.”

Thomas nominated for Payton award

All 32 teams announced their nominees for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award on Thursday.

For the third consecutive season, defensive tackle Solomon Thomas was the Jets’ nominee. The award will be handed out during the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 6 in New Orleans.

“It’s a huge honor,” Thomas said on Thursday. “I think it’s one of the highest honors in the league and the highest honor from the team and your community for the work that you do, it means the world. I truly believe we are here to make a difference and influence other people and make an impact.

“I think as NFL players and professional athletes, we have a platform that’s given to us like no other. We have to use this platform to take advantage of it. It is something that has been instilled in me from my peers, my veterans in my family, my loved ones, and my girlfriend. To take advantage of that and be recognized for it, it means the world. You never do it for the recognition, you never do it for the award, you do it to impact and to change lives. But to be recognized means a lot.”

Thomas is a co-founder of The Defensive Line, which is dedicated to his sister, Ella Elizabeth Thomas, who died by suicide at 24 years old. The mission of Thomas’ charity is to end youth suicide and raise awareness about mental health.

In addition, Thomas works with organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Crisis Text Line.

Last month, Thomas partnered with the Interfaith Food Pantry Network to host a Thanksgiving event supporting needy families. He helped provide 5,600 meals to Morris County residents in New Jersey facing hunger.

Thomas also donated $8,000 to the Interfaith Food Network.

“I really just wish the NFL would let all 32 guys win. Every individual does a different job and it is amazing. All of these guys impact the community in a tremendous way. They give back in a tremendous way whether it’s money donations, time, their foundations, just their effort putting a smile on people’s faces, giving people hope, there’s so many guys that make a big difference. I wish every guy can come out winning because they all deserve a trophy and they all deserve to win.”

Nwangwu wins special teams honor

In his first game with the Jets, Kene Nwangwu was honored after his terrific play against the Seahawks.

Nwangwu was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13. After being called up from the practice squad Saturday and signed to the active roster Monday, Nwangwu registered a 99-yard kick-return touchdown and forced a fumble during the Jets’ 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.

“It felt good making a play,” Nwangwu said. “Getting that award, I think they usually give it out to for explosive plays and consistent plays, so that felt good.”

The Vikings initially selected Nwangwu out of Iowa State in the fourth round in 2021. He led the league with two return touchdowns as a rookie.

Nwangwu’s four return touchdowns are the second most among active NFL players. The Vikings waived Nwangwu last August and he was signed to the Jets practice squad in September after failing a physical with the Saints.

“Guy shows up and does everything that we ask him to do, he has a smile on his face all the time,” Jets special teams coach Brant Boyer said about Nwangwu.

“When a veteran player is put on the practice squad like that, I think that’s a really good lesson for, and I told the guys this, that I think it’s a really good lesson for any young player, or any veteran player for that matter. The guy did nothing but keep his head down, and keep working, and good things happen to people like that, and you know, he wasn’t over there sulking about his lack of playing time, he wasn’t sulking about not being on the active roster, he was working his butt off, and then when you get your opportunity, you make the most of it. And he certainly did, and that’s a credit to the kid and the way he prepares, and we’re happy to have him for sure.”