Hempstead, NY (My Sportsbook) - New York Jets running back Thomas Jones sustained a lower leg injury during practice on Sunday, but head coach Eric Mangini would not divulge the severity of the problem or give a timetable for the veteran's return.

"I can tell you that he is working extremely hard and he will be back as quickly as he can," Mangini said at a Monday news conference. "It's a lower leg. It's below the knee."

Jones was hurt Sunday and didn't practice Monday morning. Asked if the club's new featured running back would play in Friday's preseason game against Minnesota, Mangini was again reluctant to give a firm answer.

"He'll be back as quickly as he possibly can," Mangini repeated.

Jones, acquired from the Chicago Bears in March, is expected to handle the bulk of the Jets' rushing duties this season. He spent the past three seasons with the Bears, last year leading the team with 1,210 rushing yards.

The Virginia product was the seventh overall pick of the 2000 draft and spent his first three NFL seasons with Arizona. He also played for Tampa Bay in 2003 before blossoming in his first year with the Bears in 2004.

In three seasons with Chicago, Jones rushed for 3,493 yards with 22 touchdowns. He joined Walter Payton as just the second Bears running back to eclipse 1,300 yards on the ground with 1,335 during the 2005 campaign.

The Bears deemed Jones expendable to give 2005 first-round pick Cedric Benson a shot at becoming the team's featured back.

Jones had eight carries for 27 yards and scored a touchdown in New York's first preseason game last Friday against Atlanta.