In the high-stakes world of the NFL, players will go to extraordinary lengths to stay on the field, even in the face of severe injuries. New York Jets veteran tackle Morgan Moses is the latest example, revealing that he has been sleeping in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to accelerate his recovery from a painful left knee injury.
Playing Through the Pain
The 33-year-old Moses, known throughout his career as an iron man who rarely misses a snap, suffered the injury in Week 3 when a New England Patriots defender rolled up on the back of his leg. The damage was extensive, including a Grade 2 MCL tear, a meniscus issue, and a small fracture in his knee.
Despite the severity of the injury, Moses only sat out two games before returning to action in Week 6. Since then, he hasn’t missed a single snap, even though his knee has required draining at times. It’s a testament to his toughness and dedication to the team.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
To aid in his recovery and allow him to continue playing, Moses has turned to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Each night, he spends about six hours sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber in his home.
“It’s pretty comfortable, man,” Moses told ESPN when asked about his nightly routine in the chamber.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. The extra oxygen helps fight bacteria, promotes healing by triggering the release of growth factors and stem cells, and keeps inflammation down.
Leading by Example
For Moses, it’s all about being there for his teammates and setting an example of perseverance. “My job is I never want to let anybody down, so I try to do everything I can to prepare myself to be able to play on Sundays,” he explained.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed by his fellow Jets. Linebacker Quincy Williams marveled at Moses’ resilience, noting that he has “never complained about it, not one time.”
An NFL Iron Man
This level of dedication is nothing new for Moses. Between 2015 and 2022, he played in an incredible 130 straight games, not missing a single contest. Even a torn pectoral muscle in 2023 only kept him out briefly, as he quickly returned to the field and finished out the season essentially playing with one arm.
“Everybody in this locker room is playing through something, whether it’s personal, whether it’s physical, emotional, whatever it is,” Moses said of the sacrifices NFL players make. “That’s what football teams are great for, because we band together.”
As the Jets look to turn their season around after a disappointing 3-6 start, they’ll lean on veterans like Morgan Moses. His willingness to quite literally sleep on the job in pursuit of staying on the field is the kind of leadership and commitment that can galvanize a locker room. While the hyperbaric chamber may be an unorthodox approach, Moses is clearly willing to do whatever it takes for his team.
