Erik Ainge Enters Drug Rehabilitation Facility

Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News is reporting that 4th year QB Erik Ainge has entered a drug rehabilitation facility.  As we reported last week, Ainge was placed on the Reserved non-football list.  At the time the reason was undisclosed.

A team source told the Daily News that the Jets are “very disappointed” in what appears to be a relapse for Ainge and don’t have a timetable for his return.

This would be Ainge’s second strike under the league’s substance abuse policies, which means that he would be subject to an eight-game suspension upon his return. Ainge, who hasn’t taken a regular-season snap in his first three seasons, was suspended for four games without pay in 2008 for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Putting life in perspective we hope Erik gets better and is able to recover from his addiction.  Focusing on the less important football side of things, this is obviously going to hurt his career.  3rd string quarterbacks don’t typically get too many chances.  It was rumored that Ainge was the favorite to win the 3rd spot in back of Mark Sanchez and Mark Brunell.  How this shakes out will be interesting, do the Jets keep Kellen Clemens as the 3rd QB option?  It is now down to Kevin O’Connell from San Diego State vs. Kellen Clemens.

Our take is the Jets will keep Kellen and eventually release Ainge.  Tell us what you think in our NY Jets football forum.