Knee injury ends season for Jets linebacker Vilma

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Jets placed Jonathan Vilma on injured reserve on Saturday, ending the linebacker's season.

Former Pro Bowler Vilma, 25, hurt his knee in the 38-31 defeat by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday and missed practice for the rest of the week.

"After reviewing all of the information available, the best thing for Jonathan and the Jets is to place him on injured reserve and turn his focus to rehabilitation and the 2008 season," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement.

"Jonathan has been a leader on this team since we drafted him in 2004. He is as tough as they come and a student of the game who devotes a tremendous amount of time towards preparation and maximizing his ability."

Vilma, selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2004 draft, has undergone several tests since his injury but the Jets did not say which knee was hurt.

"I am disappointed my season ended prematurely," said Vilma, who earned a Pro Bowl berth after leading the NFL with 187 tackles in 2005.

"I was looking forward to playing the rest of the season and helping the team get back on track. I now look forward to supporting my team mates for the rest of the 2007 season and returning to the field with them in 2008."

In his seven games this season, Vilma had 39 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.

He became the first Jets linebacker to surpass 100 tackles in each of his first three seasons since Kyle Clifton in 1986.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles)