MRI, CT scan results on Nick Mangold's neck come back negative

New York Jets Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold underwent MRI exams and CT scans on his injured neck, and the results were negative, coach Todd Bowles said Monday.

Bowles said he's not sure whether Mangold will be available to play Sunday in Oakland.

"I don't know the timetable on him getting better," Bowles said Monday. "I just know it's not as bad as we thought it was. He's sore and he has to get treatment and see if it loosens up."

Mangold has experienced "stingers" in his career, but this injury isn't a stinger, the coach said, describing it as a "sore neck" that is muscle-related.

Mangold, hurt in the final minute of the Jets' 30-23 loss to the New England Patriotson Sunday, went for an X-ray after the game. That, too, was negative, a source confirmed. The New York Daily News first reported the X-ray was negative.

Mangold, in his 10th season, was wearing a neck brace as he left the locker room late Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins crashed into his neck/shoulder area while Mangold was pass-protecting in traffic, and he went down hard.

He stayed on his stomach for more than a minute, finally walking off the field on his own. But he soon was carted to the locker room.

The Jets (4-2) can't afford to lose Mangold, who is considered by many of his teammates to be like a second quarterback on the field. His replacement, Dakota Dozier, has played only five career snaps at center.

ESPN's Adam Caplan contributed to this report.