NFL News: NY Jets Safety Jim Leonard Most Likely Out For Season With Broken Leg
The New York Jets have encountered a major obstacle that will affect them in their outcome against the New England Patriots on Monday night.
Jim Leonhard, safety and top punt returner, has fractured his right tibia in a freak accident in practice on Friday, Jets spokesman confirmed after X-rays of Leonhard’s leg.
Leonhard ran into wide receiver Patrick Turner on a routine play and was carried off of the field on a stretcher. Shaken coaches and teammates watched on in the portion of practice that was closed to the press and media.
Leonhard is scheduled for surgery for Friday night at Morristown Memorial Hospital. According to the jets, there is no damage to the fibula, ankle, and knee. The fracture did not break the skin. Leonhard is expected to be out for the season, although the
Jets would not confirm this, stating that they wish to wait until after the surgery to comment on Leonhard’s status.
"It doesn't look good," one team source said.
As soon as practice was over, a distraught Rex Ryan started his news conference by beginning with
"We've got some terrible news."
Ryan considers Leonhard as the QB of the defence, and says that the injury is
"a huge blow to us."
Mike Pettine, the Jets defensive coordinator said that when the injury occurred,
"we were all crushed."
This is possibly the worst time for an injury, with the Patriots game coming up. Leonhard was essential for a defence to the Pats’ passing happy QB, Tom Brady. Without Leonhard communicating with the defence, New York could have some major problems with
the Brady-led complex passing attack.
Without Leonhard, Brodney Pool and Eric Smith will be starting, both of whom are sharing the free-safety spot. Leonhard is placed third on the team with 66 tackles. He also has one fumble recovery and one interception.
His position as New York’s best punt returner will fall to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery will be back by Monday after missing two games with a torn groin. Usually, two returners are used, but the Jets’ special teams coach Mike Westhoff says that
rookie Kyle Wilson has been a big disappointment. Westhoff says that he will use wide receiver Santonio Holmes or Antonio Cromartie as the other returner.
"Unfortunately, this is a big injury to us," Ryan said. "He's an excellent football player, a great communicator, everything else. ... Emotionally, it was a letdown. I thought we were having our best practice of the year until that point. Obviously,
it was a huge blow to our team, but this a tough group and we've carried ourselves this far because of our mental toughness."
The Jets-Pats game will take place on Monday December 6 at 8:30 PM at Gillette Stadium.
Stay tuned!
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