NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets released offensive lineman

Spencer Long on Tuesday Le’Veon Bell Jersey 2019 , saving the team almost $6.5 million on next season’s salary cap.Long was due a $3 million roster bonus that would have become guaranteed Wednesday if he remained with the team. The Jets opted instead to cut him after he struggled with injuries and consistency at center before moving to left guard.Long signed a four-year, $27.5 million contract with the Jets last March and was also due a base salary of about $3.46 million next year. The move by New York clears his entire salary, leaving no dead money on the cap.It is the first significant roster move made by general manager Mike Maccagnan this offseason. The Jets, under new coach Adam Gase, could opt to bring Long back at a reduced salary.The 28-year-old Long spent his first four NFL seasons with Washington before joining New York. He opened the year with the Jets as the starting center, but he was already dealing with a lingering injury to his right hand — his snapping hand — early in the season when he hurt a tendon in his middle finger against Jacksonville in Week 4.Long tried to play through the injuries, but they affected his ability to snap the ball effectively. Against Miami in Week 9 White Sam Darnold Jerseys , he had at least six errant shotgun snaps to rookie Sam Darnold, including one that soared over the quarterback’s head. He was replaced by Jonotthan Harrison, who took over as the starter for the final seven games.“It was a tough, challenging time that I don’t think a lot of people knew exactly what was going on,” Long told The Associated Press in December. “My reputation was on the line.”Long got another opportunity to play when starting left guard James Carpenter went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 10 against Buffalo. The Jets shifted Long to guard, where he started five of the last six games.“I felt bad for my teammates and coaches for putting that out there,” Long told the AP about his struggles. “For the fan base Sam Darnold Jerseys 2019 , too, because they deserved more than that from me. I’m a guy that’s supposed to be an addition and not a subtraction to this line.”Long was a third-round pick by Washington in 2014 out of Nebraska. He has played in 53 career NFL games, including 44 starts. The Browns came away from their blowout over the Jets badly bruised, and could be without several starters Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams.The most notable injury is to linebacker and captain Christian Kirksey, who has a chest injury that could require surgery and sideline him indefinitely.While his teammates practiced the past two days, Kirksey has been limited to working on the side with trainers. He won't play this week and Thursday coach Freddie Kitchens said the team was still gauging whether he would need an operation."We are trying to evaluate and see what the best course of action is with him," Kitchens said.With Kirksey out White Joe Namath Jerseys , rookie Mack Wilson will start. But he doesn't have experience and that could hurt the Browns when facing one of the most potent offenses in the NFL."He's the leader in our room. He's the leader on the defense, the vocal leader. He's the leader on the team," linebacker Joe Schobert said. "So not having his presence out there is definitely going to be missed. But I've got a lot of faith in the young guys, what they've shown through spring, through training camp, up to now. Now to be under the lights it'll be a little bit bigger, but they played at big-time universities in big-time games and I'm excited to see what they do."Wilson played 11 snaps against the Jets and had four tackles.Also Joe Namath Jerseys 2019 , the Browns were awaiting another medical opinion on tight end David Njoku. He broke his right wrist in Monday's win and may need surgery.The list of injured doesn't end there as right tackle Chris Hubbard (foot) and safeties Damarious Randall (concussion) and Morgan Burnett (leg) also missed practice Thursday. And starting cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams were limited with hamstring injuries.Hubbard was in Cleveland's locker room wearing a walking boot, and there remains a chance he'll play. If not, Justin McCray, who was acquired from the Packers last month and played in Cleveland's opener, would replace him in the starting lineup."I have a lot of confidence in Justin," Kitchens said. "He is competing, trying to get better and understands what is in front of him White Keyshawn Johnson Jerseys , and I expect him to go out and perform — and perform well."