Jets quarterback Erik Ainge, who was sidelined for the 2010 season while battling drug addiction, looked set Friday to miss the majority of play in 2011 after announcing that he has a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.
Ainge, 24, did not give details about how he suffered the injury, which almost certainly ended any hopes of making his NFL regular-season debut next season.
The former Tennessee standout, a fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2008, remained on the non-football illness list last year as he tackled his addiction to heroin, cocaine and alcohol, along with depression, in rehab.
He is still registered with the Jets but was not expected to be retained.
Ainge, who has yet to take an NFL snap, was philosophical as he tweeted about his injury late Thursday.
“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,” he wrote.