Jets coach Rex Ryan says the Jets were enjoying their “best practice of the season” Friday until disaster struck.
Safety Jim Leonhard had to be carted off the field with a “severe” shin injury. Ryan assumes at this point that Leonhard suffered a broken bone, although tests have to be taken.
“Emotionally, it was a letdown,” Ryan said via Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger.
The Jets have enjoyed good health of late, but Leonhard is a valuable piece to the defense and special teams as a punt returner. Brodney Pool and Eric Smith will start at safety. Antonio Cromarite, Jerricho Cotchery, and Santonio Holmes are options on punts.
UPDATE: The team is disappointed in cornerback Kyle Wilson, so special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff says Cotchery will get the call on punts. Holmes and Cromartie will get involved with two deep returns.