Jets' Leonhard has thumb surgery
Photo credit: Freelance/Joe Rogate | NY Jets' Jim Leonhard gains extra yards on a punt return as Titans punter Reggie Hodges tries to stop him. (September 28, 2009)
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Jaguars 24, Jets 22
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Safety Jim Leonhard had surgery on his right thumb Monday and it's unclear if he will play Sunday when the Jets face the Patriots.
He injured the thumb in the first quarter Sunday when he whiffed on a tackle attempt on Maurice Jones-Drew's 33-yard touchdown run. Afterward, he had the hand in a cast and said the thumb didn't feel very good.
Rex Ryan wasn't quite sure how much recovery time Leonhard will need. "They said when they go in, they'll have a much better idea," he said. "They don't even know if they're going to put screws in it, what they're going to do with it."
D-line coach out
Kerry Locklin, who was in his first season as the defensive line coach, and the Jets have mutually agreed to part ways. Assistant defensive line coach Jeff Weeks will take over Locklin's responsibilities and former Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith will assist Weeks. Smith had been helping out the Jets in a pass rushing instructor role.
"This is a mutual decision that Kerry is no longer going to be with us," Ryan said. "We thought that was the best thing for both of us moving forward. This is a real sensitive issue. It's unfortunate, the timing of it. But I think it was in both our best interests that we mutually agreed upon this."
Extra points
The Jets released special-teamer Ahmad Carroll. LB Kenwin Cummings was signed off the practice squad.
