The New York Jets placed running back Leon Washington on injured reserve Monday, a day after he suffered a compound fracture of the fibula.
But the Jets have yet to replace Washington’s roster spot. So what will they do?
“I think we’ve got a plan,” coach Rex Ryan said Monday in comments distributed by the team. “We’ll see what it is going forward. We’ve certainly looked at all those options. We’re going to make the best decision for our team moving forward.”
One option that could be coming to fruition involves bringing back Justin Miller, a cornerback and kick returner who spent three-plus years with the team.
Miller returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2006. Coupled with an average of 28.3 yards, he made it to the Pro Bowl.
The Jets cut Miller last November, after a dislocated toe limited him to only one regular-season appearance -- a stunning plummet for a guy who was poised to start at corner across from Darrelle Revis.
The Raiders claimed Miller on waivers, and he scored two kick-return touchdowns in only seven games.
In the offseason, Miller re-signed with the Raiders, but he has bounced on and off the roster. The Raiders brought him back earlier this month, but they cut him again, after only one game.
In New York, Miller would help fill one of the many functions that Washington performed, and it would confirm beliefs that the Jets will simply break Washington’s various roles up among multiple players.
So if Washington fully recovers from his broken leg, maybe his absence will actually improve Washington’s leverage in contract talks once the Jets realize how hard it will be to properly fill his shoes.