Jim Leonhard
The New York Jets were dealt a major blow this afternoon as their top safety went down with a season-ending injury.
According to FOXSports’ Jay Glazer, starting strong safety Jim Leonhard suffered a broken tibia in today’s practice and as a result will be out for the rest of the year.
Leonhard was injured when he collided with wide receiver Patrick Turner during the team’s afternoon practice session. He had to be carted off of the field and coach Rex Ryan initially declared it as a “severe shin injury” so the prognosis wasn’t looking good from the getgo.
Now in his season season with the Jets, Leonhard came over with Ryan from Baltimore last year and has since established himself as the “quarterback” of the defense; normally calling out coverages and formations to the rest of the unit on the field.
Aside from his defensive responsibilities, Leonhard, as sure-handed as they come, was the team’s punt returner so they’ll have to replace him in that department as well.
Eric Smith and Brodney Pool are now penciled in as New York’s starting safeties and the team will try several players — including receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Santonio Holmes and cornerbacks Kyle Wilson and Antonio Cromartie — as the primary return man on punts.
For a team who’s had some major communication problems in the secondary, this loss won’t do anything to help them in that regard. Expect the Patriots to air the ball out often on Monday night.
