Much of the focus surrounding Leon Washington’s grisly injury Sunday centered on the running back’s inability to reach a contract extension last offseason.
Washington didn’t get the security of a long-term deal, but he did get some insurance before the season. Literally. The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Washington took out a Lloyds of London insurance policy before the 2009 campaign to protect himself against injury.
The Pro Bowler underwent surgery Sunday and was placed on injured reserve by the Jets Monday. Jets tackle Damien Woody said he’d never seen anything like the injury.
''As soon as I saw it, I knew it was over,’' Woody said. ''[Washington’s] foot was in the ground and Tommy Kelly hit it. I saw blood squirting out. That’s emergency surgery right there.”
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who reportedly offered Washington a $5 million-per-year contract in August, says Washington will remain a Jet.
''I expect him to be here a long, long time,” Tannenbaum said. “We’re going to give Leon all the support he needs from an organizational standpoint to make sure he can return to be the player he has always been. He has our unconditional support.’'
The injury could potentially affect Thomas Jones’ status with the team. Conventional wisdom expected 2009 to be Jones’ last with the Jets.