"The beauty of football, and sometimes its curse, is that so much can change in an instant. Lives and careers can go this way and that way on one play. In less than 10 seconds last Sunday, the Jets' running-back position was altered, now and perhaps long term.

For Leon Washington, who may be released today from a hospital in Berkeley, Calif., the future includes several months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired broken leg and uncertainty over his contract situation.

For Thomas Jones, it probably means a longer stay with the Jets than many anticipated.

If the Jets were thinking of parting ways with Jones after the season, handing the position to the young bucks, Washington and Shonn Greene, they almost certainly have to bury that notion.

Jones, 31, is the NFL's fourth-leading rusher (602 yards), showing no signs of slowing down. His performance, coupled with Washington's injury, means the Jets have little choice but to pay his $5.8 million (including a $3 million roster bonus) in 2010, the final year of Jones' contract. Previously, there was a feeling that Jones, who had expressed displeasure with his deal, would be replaced in 2010.

"We expect him to be here now and into the future," GM Mike Tannenbaum said Tuesday of Jones.

Even though the Jets say they expect Washington to make a full recovery by next season, there's no guarantee because it's a non-traditional injury - two open fractures (tibia and fibular) in his lower right leg. Surgeons inserted a rod in the tibia to stabilize it. Raiders running back Michael Bush suffered a similar injury in college and it took him two years before he could play again. He required additional surgery.

Washington's recovery could take anywhere from three to six months, according to Nick DiNubile, a Philadelphia-based orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine.

"An open tibial fracture is very serious with a very long healing time," DiNubile said. "The tibia is the slowest-healing bone in the body. The good news is, when it heals, he'll be fine." Asked if this type of injury could be career-threatening, he said, "Only if there are complications" such as infection.

The injury could have an impact on Washington's financial future. He rejected a long-term contract before the season, which included $10 million in various guarantees, to play out the final year of his rookie contract ($535,000). Right now, he has no guarantees beyond this year and little leverage."