Leftwich could be ruled out for remainder of season
Quarterback Byron Leftwich will get a second opinion on his injured left ankle Monday, which could spell the end his season and possibly his four-year run as the Jacksonville Jaguars starter.
Agent Tom Condon said Leftwich will visit renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., after Leftwich was told by Jaguars team doctors that he wouldn't be able to play again this season.
"He was told he has debris and bone spurs in the ankle that mean if he jammed it again, the pain would just come back again," Condon said. "They're saying he won't be healthy the rest of the year and that he's going to need surgery."
That information essentially echoes what Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said this week. Leftwich disputed that, saying he feels he'll be able to play again this season. Andrews' examination could help resolve the issue.
There is a growing sentiment in the Jacksonville front office and coaching staff that Leftwich will never be healthy on a consistent basis. Backup David Garrard has been the starter the past two games and there are some people who feel it is only a matter of time before Del Rio names him the starter for the rest of the season.
Complicating the situation is that Leftwich has escalators in his contract which will increase his base salary to $5.6 million and his cap number to more than $7 million for the 2007 season. That's also the final year of a five-year contract Leftwich received in 2003 when the Jaguars drafted him in the first round.
Based on that, it appears that unless there is a significant change in approach, Leftwich will likely be traded or released in the offseason. Leftwich would likely only be traded if Condon were able to work out a contract extension with another team. Furthermore, the Jaguars may be hesitant to play Leftwich more this season for fear of making his injury worse and bearing the responsibility for all or part of his salary next season.
