JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) _ Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich is out indefinitely after spraining his lateral collateral ligament in his left knee in Sunday's 20-6 loss to Houston.
Sports orthopedist James Andrew of Birmingham, Ala., examined Leftwich on Tuesday and determined the quarterback will not need surgery. He has been told to rest the injury.
Some players with the same injury have required four to six weeks of rest. Coach Jack Del Rio said the Jaguars would not offer a timetable for Leftwich's return until Monday.
Backup quarterback David Garrard, who has thrown just 60 passes in his three-year NFL career, will take over as the starter.
The Jaguars (5-3), in first place in the AFC South, have a bye this week before playing host to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 14.
Leftwich's agent, Tom Condon, sent the quarterback to Andrews after he developed pain late Monday afternoon.
He was hurt just before halftime on a tackle by Texans linebacker Kailee Wong and defensive lineman Gary Walker. Leftwich missed two plays before putting himself back in to finish the game.
Leftwich said immediately after the game he would be fine, but experienced problems the next day. Leftwich has had several leg injuries dating to his college career at Marshall.
As a rookie last year, Leftwich took over as starter from Mark Brunell, who was traded in the offseason to the Washington Redskins.
