The New York Jets put safety Jim Leonhard on injured reserve Saturday, ending the season for one of their defensive leaders a day after he broke his right leg during practice.
Doctors placed a stabilizing rod through Leonhard's tibia during surgery Friday night at Morristown Memorial Hospital, located a few miles from the team's training facility. The Jets announced that Leonhard is tentatively scheduled to be released from the hospital Sunday or Monday and expected to make a full recovery. He didn't have any damage to his fibula, ankle or knee.
The New York Jetsfilled Leonhard's roster spot by signing veteran wide receiver Laveranues Coles on Sunday.
Leonhard, who calls defensive signals in the Jets' secondary and returns punts, was injured during team drills when he collided with wide receiver Patrick Turner while going up for a ball. Trainers checked on Leonhard, who was carted from the field.
"I just knew we ran into each other, and he was in pain," Turner said. "He was just grabbing his shin."
It's a major blow to the Jets' third-ranked defense, especially right before Monday night's showdown with the AFC East co-leading New England Patriots. Leonhard will be replaced by Eric Smith opposite Brodney Pool in the starting defense, and Jerricho Cotchery, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson will assume the punt-return duties.
Cotchery was listed as probable on the Jets' injury report after being a full participant in practice Saturday for the first time since he slightly tore his groin during a Nov. 14 game against the Cleveland Browns. Right tackle Damien Woody (right knee) and defensive back Dwight Lowery (concussion) were questionable, but both are expected to play.
"We feel sorry for Jim, we feel terrible for Jim," Ryan said. "But we don't feel sorry for ourselves. We know it's a big loss, but we'll be ready to move on on Monday without him."
Leonhard is third on the team with 66 tackles, and he has an interception and a fumble recovery this season, his second with New York. He broke his right thumb during a game a year ago, but he didn't miss any time while playing with a cast.
Leonhard also is a personal favorite of Ryan, who brought the safety from Baltimore shortly after becoming the Jets' coach in January 2009.
"He's a good player, but they're a good defense," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday. "They have a lot of good players. ... Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game. Every team has them, and everybody has to go through them and deal with them."
Smith is in his fifth season with the Jets and has started 18 games in his career, including the first three this year while Pool was sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
