New York Jets center Nick Mangold is officially inactive for the team's Week 8 game against the Oakland Raiders, the team announced. Mangold is sitting out after suffering a scary-looking neck injury last week.
Nick Mangold out for Week 8 after suffering neck injury
Nick Mangold’s neck injury was not as severe as it looked at first, but he’s still sitting out Week 8.
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mangold was forced out of the Week 7 loss to the New England Patriots with the injury. He was carted off the field and was later seen wearing a neck brace, although X-rays and other tests came back negative. Mangold did not practice at all this week and was listed as doubtful on the injury report. Wesley Johnson will start in Mangold's place.
Mangold has been a rock on New York's offensive line ever since being taken in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Over 10 seasons, he has missed only three games -- Sunday's absence will be his fourth. The 31-year-old has made the Pro Bowl six times and been named to the first-team All-Pro team twice. Johnson will get the start at center this week, which will likely be a clear downgrade for Chris Ivory, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the rest of New York's offense.
Johnson was a fifth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft, but was waived in October of his rookie season. He has appeared in two games, but Sunday will be his first career start.
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