By Nick St. Denis
For the second straight year, the communicator of the New York Jets' defense may be lost for the season with a December injury.
Safety Jim Leonhard, who is responsible for much of the Jets' pre-snap adjustments on defense (particularly in the secondary), was carted off Sunday during New York's 37-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Leonhard injured his knee while being tackled on an interception he made in the second quarter.
"I'm hopeful it's not that bad, but it's never good when you need help coming off," Jets coach Rex Ryan told the media after the game.
New York Daily News reporter Manish Mehta reported that Leonhard would miss the remainder of the season, though the Jets await official word via an MRI Leonhard will undergo Monday.
Leonhard was lost to a leg injury last season during Week 13 preparation, and the impact of his absence was immediately felt, as the Jets were blown out, 45-3, by the New England Patriots just days later.
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