National Football League

Leonhard likely done for season

Published Dec. 12, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

In a development that robs the Jets on both defense and special teams, Jim Leonhard has suffered what is believed to be a season-ending injury.

Leonhard, the valuable safety and sure-handed punt returner, injured his right knee in the Jets' 37-10 romp over the Chiefs at MetLife Stadium Sunday. A source said the team believes Leonhard tore a knee ligament, saying, "It doesn't look good."

Leonhard will have an MRI exam Monday.

A torn knee ligament would mark the second straight season in which Leonhard's year ended early due to injury. He broke the same leg last year and missed the regular season's final five games, plus the playoffs.

"We did hear on the sideline that he may be out for the season," cornerback Darrelle Revis said. "Jim's out again. You've just got to approach it like we did last year."

Indeed, last season the Jets lost three of their first four when Leonhard initially went down, but they then won three in a row en route to the AFC title game in Pittsburgh. Brodney Pool and Eric Smith manned the safety positions, and both Pool and Smith will be the safeties the Jets will now rely on for the remainder of this season.

Leonhard has 48 tackles and one interception this season, and his lone pick sparked his injury. With 11:13 to play in the first half Sunday, Leonhard picked off a Tyler Palko pass at the Chiefs' 38-yard-line. But Leonhard went down after the interception and had to be helped off the field.