Jim Leonhard will miss Sunday's game in Foxborough after thumb surgery.

The Jets will be without safety Jim Leonhard on Sunday against the Patriots and maybe longer after he underwent surgery on his right thumb on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to speak publicly for the team.

Eric Smith will start in his place. I like Smith, but you clearly don't want an injury to a starter in the secondary right before a trip to New England to take on a motivated Patriots team.