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The hits keep coming for the Jets.

Starting center Nick Mangold, perhaps the most important player to the Jets’ offense, suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter Monday night and was taken to the locker room on a cart. The injury, which happened when Houston’s J.J. Watt rolled onto the back of Mangold’s ankle, looked ugly, although the team didn’t immediately rule Mangold out for the game.

The Jets did, however, rule out receiver Clyde Gates, who suffered a shoulder injury. Gates was only playing because the Jets were already dropping like flies at receiver before tonight’s game.

The Texans lead 17-7 midway through the third quarter.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m. ET: Mangold returned to the game at the end of the third quarter.