Nick

Mangold

The first-round pick will likely begin training camp as the Jets’ starting center.

Although his MRI turned up no other damage, Mangold could be out until after the Jets’ Week 8 bye. Mangold has never missed a start since coming into the league in 2006, however, and could easily return sooner. For now, undrafted rookie Colin Baxter will start in his place in Week 3.

“It could be awhile,” a source told beat writer Manish Mehta. Mehta refers to the loss as “sobering news” after Sunday’s defeat of the Jaguars. Mangold is widely considered the league’s best center, and his backup is an undrafted rookie. Expect more struggles for the Jets’ inside running game going forward. Through two games, Shonn Greene is averaging just 2.88 yards per carry.

Profootballtalk.com’s Mike Florio confirms that the preliminary diagnosis is a high ankle sprain, which can knock out a player for 4-6 weeks, and in some cases more. The good news is Mangold is a very tough player, and offensive linemen can gut out this sort of an injury with relatively more ease than a skill guy. The Monday MRI will confirm whether Mangold will miss time.

No surprise here, as Mangold was ruled out earlier this week. Undrafted rookie Colin Baxter will be in the spotlight as his replacement. Also inactive: QB Kevin O’Connell, WR Logan Payne, S Emanuel Cook, RB Bilal Powell, OL Rob Turner and DT Kenrick Ellis. Santonio Holmes, who was limited in practice throughout the week, is active as expected. Rookie DE Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, questionable) is also active.

“I’m not one of those ‘he has to practice’ guys,” coach Rex Ryan said Thursday. “We’re talking about Nick Mangold here, so, no. He doesn’t have to practice.” Mangold has done well to avoid a setback this week, but he’s still far from a sure bet to play against the Ravens.

It’ll be a real testament to Mangold’s toughness if he makes it back from a 4-6 week high ankle sprain after one missed game. The Jets will work Mangold out before Sunday night’s matchup with the Ravens. New York is likely to struggle with the running game regardless, but Mangold’s return can only help.

As expected. Mangold was expected to miss a minimum of 2-to-3 weeks upon suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2, so he’s returning on the earlier end of expectations. The struggles of rookie Colin Baxter in his place essentially left the Jets with no choice but to rush back their All Pro.

“Chomping at the bit to get back,” Mangold said. “I’m ready to go.” Mangold is officially questionable, but HC Rex Ryan has made clear he expects him to play. Mangold’s return cannot come soon enough for a Jets offense that could neither run nor pass in a disastrous effort against the Ravens last weekend.

Mangold was expected to get a pain-killing shot just before the game. In a move that called to mind Eric Mangini’s fruitless mind games, the Jets waited to announce their inactives until well after the list was due in to the league office. Here are the names: QB Kevin O’Connell, WR Logan Payne, RB Bilal Powell, TE Josh Baker, LB Garrett McIntyre, C Colin Baxter, DT Kenrick Ellis.