Rex Ryan isn’t happy Leon Washington is skipping the Jets voluntary offseason workouts.
Ryan was hoping the running back would be at the Jets’ training facility at Florham Park to continue to rehab the broken leg he suffered last season.
The former Pro Bowl kick returner reportedly is rehabbing at Athletes Performance Institute in Pensacola, Fla.
REPORT: SANCHEZ CALLED MARSHALL
“We have the best facilities in the country,” Ryan said yesterday. “We have a great medical staff. We have a great medical team. We got the best strength coach in the country. Leon knows this. That’s what’s disappointing.”
Washington stopped working out with the Jets after he refused to sign his $1.7 million tender offered earlier this month. He is the only player not participating in the program.
“This is a voluntary deal,” Ryan said. “He may have reasons for not being here. But the rest of the team volunteered to be here.”
Ryan added, “Wherever he’s at might be good, but it’s not the best. I want what’s best for him and for the New York Jets. This is a time when there’s team building. I love Leon, but it’s still disappointing that he’s not here.”
The Jets coach reiterated he didn’t foresee a prominent role for Washington other than a third-down specialist and kick returner. Shonn Greene and newly acquired LaDainian Tomlinson will handle most of the duties at running back.
“He’s a third-down back and a Pro Bowl returner. That’s a pretty big thing,” said Ryan, adding he wasn’t “comfortable” with expanding Washington’s role until seeing how he recovers from his injury.
“Let’s see where he’s at,” Ryan said. “I’m not just going to give him the ball 20 times a game coming off that [injury]. He has to be ready to take that kind of role.
“If he’s ready to take an expanded role, then obviously we could see that. Again, third down is the most important down that you have on offense. That would be ideal for him.”