Leftwich is out according to the Jaguars against Detroit, and “very doubtful” for the game the following week against Tennessee. They’re shooting for the Vikings game in Minnesota trying to get him back in the lineup. David Garrard will start Sunday against the Lions, with a chance to make himself a lot of money and the Jaguars a couple of draft picks in the future. Garrard can play, and should be a starter in the NFL sometime in the near future. It won’t be with the Jaguars, since there committed to Byron Leftwich, but Garrard will be as valuable as Rob Johnson was when he was backing up Mark Brunell.

Johnson was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a first round pick, which turned out to be Fred Taylor. Garrard’s performance in the next two games could pique enough interest in his services to command a similar pick in a trade at season’s end. Even though Jack Del Rio said Leftwich “sculpted” his body in the off-season, he’s not a specimen by any means. But most quarterbacks are not, and they’re vulnerable almost at all times. Leftwich has a little bit of a history of leg injuries, including a rod in his right leg that he says “never crosses my mind.”

The Jaguars should be proud of Leftwich’s toughness, but need to come up with a sideline protocol to determine if, and when injured players, including Leftwich, can return to the game. Against Houston, Leftwich grabbed his knee after a sack and came out of the game for two plays. Without consulting the coaches or the medical staff, he put himself back in the game. It’s a laudable thought, but ultimately could be considered a risky move.

A lateral collateral ligament might not be the most important part of a quarterback’s knee, but it has some function. Tearing it isn’t good, and the stability it creates allows the other parts of any athlete’s knee to work. So if you’re back in the game with a torn LCL, it stands to reason that you’re putting yourself at undo risk, possibly ending your season instead of coming out for a few weeks to be ready for the rest of the season. Everybody likes toughness. Smart and tough is just a little bit better.