The New York Jets have officially placed Leon Washington on injured reserve for the season after he sustained a broken leg on Sunday.
Jets bring back Miller while rookie Greene will step up at tail-back
The New York Jets have placed Leon Washington on injured reserve for the season after he sustained a broken leg on Sunday - with Justin Miller signed to help fill the sizeable void.
Washington's shoes will not be easy ones to fill at the Meadowlands, with his versatility as a running back and a kick returner.
In his absence the Jets have signed cornerback Miller, who returns to the franchise for whom he played for when making the Pro Bowl in 2006.
Miller has had five touchdowns from 147 returns in 98 career games, while in 2006 he also ran in the Jets' longest TD on record with a 103-yard return.
Washington made the Pro Bowl in 2008 when he set a new Jets single-season record with 2,332 combined yards, and he will be a big miss for the rest of the season.
Speed
The four-year veteran will spend the rest of the year on the sidelines after breaking his right leg during Sunday's blow-out win in Oakland.
"It just devastates you," said coach Rex Ryan after he had spoken to Washington following surgery on his leg. "You feel for him.
"We think he's going to make a full recovery, so we're certainly hopeful of that, We are encouraged by that.
"Maybe three or four guys have to replace him. There's no way one guy can replace him. There's no way that can happen."
Rookie Shonn Greene, who had an outstanding performance on Sunday when stepping in for Washington, will now back-up starting tail-back Thomas Jones.
In his first extended spell of action, the third-round draft pick out of Iowa ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns from 19 carries against the Raiders.
Bigger challenges will come his way but Greene is just hoping to help the team cope without a talent such as Washington.
"I just look forward to more opportunities," he said. "I'm not going to fill Leon's shoes, but I'm going to do the best I can."
