The best center in the NFL, and the heart of the New York Jets' vaunted offensive line, Nick Mangold, has left the game against the Jaguars with an ankle injury. According to the NY Daily News' Manish Mehta, Mangold was taken to the locker room for X-rays and his return in questionable.
Nick Mangold Injury: Jets’ All-Pro Center Leaves Game With Leg Injury
Mangold might be the league's most valuable offensive lineman, as he's the leader of the most consistently dominant run-blocking unit in the league for the past few years. He's being replaced for now by Colin Baxter, who has had next to no game experience because Mangold has played pretty much every down of every game since he was drafted in 2006.
Mangold’s leg was apparently twisted as he fell to the ground, which for a 307-pound man like Mangold is the worst possible way to get injured. That’s a lot of stress on that ankle.
The Jets are playing well, leading the Jaguars 12-3 after a Santonio Holmes TD catch and a sack-safety of Luke McCown. We'll see how the Jets' typically stout running game is affected if Mangold is unable to return to this game.
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