Mangold has high ankle sprain, 'very iffy' for Jets' next game

Published: Sep 19, 2011 at 11:54 AM

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Nick Mangold might have to sit this one out for the New York Jets.

An MRI exam Monday revealed that the All-Pro center has a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for at least this Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.

"I would say his status for the game, I would assume, (is) very iffy," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "I don't think it looks very good as far as playing this week."

Mangold injured his right ankle during the first quarter of the Jets' 32-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He had just made a solid block on a 7-yard run by Shonn Greene when he went down as the Jaguars' Daryl Smith rolled into his leg.

Mangold limped into the locker room for X-rays, which were negative, but didn't return. He left the stadium on crutches and his foot in a boot.

"Very frustrating," Mangold said after the game. "It's not what I want. It's not what I expected. It's difficult."

High ankle sprains usually take a few weeks to heal, so it appears Mangold's streak of starting all 82 regular-season games since he was drafted in 2006 is in serious jeopardy.

"He thinks he can go," Ryan said. "We'll see how it progresses. I wouldn't count him out. He's a tough guy, but the trainers will always do what's in the best interest of the player, and we'll never put a guy out there that shouldn't be out there. With that said, I think it's iffy whether he plays or not, with all due respect to Nick."

Mangold was replaced by rookie Colin Baxter, an undrafted free agent originally signed by the San Diego Chargers. Baxter likely will start against the Raiders if Mangold can't go, as expected.

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