Jets quarterback Erik Ainge has a torn rotator cuff according to Manish Mehta.

Quarterback Erik Ainge has a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, leaving his immediate future in the league in doubt. Ainge, who spent the entire 2010 season on the reserve/did not report list due to drug and alcohol issues, relayed the injury news on his official Twitter page Thursday night.

"Found out i have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder today, no fun, o well, could always be worse, im sober and loved, all that matters," Ainge tweeted.

That is a tough break for a guy who has had to battle his share of demons. He spent 2010 in rehab.

It is definitely a step back for Ainge. It sounds like this could cost him 2011. If it does not, he faced an uphill battle against two other quarterbacks, Kevin O'Connell and Greg McElroy, for the third quarterback spot. I have always compared Ainge to Chad Pennington without the accuracy. That is to say his arm strength appears lacking. Even though he put up nice numbers in the 2009 preseason, it looked more to me like he was getting lucky with receiver making good plays and defenders making bad plays on shaky throws.

Best of luck to Ainge. He will need it in his recovery.