Jags Lose Boselli For Playoffs

January 3, 2000 / 3:07 PM EST / CBS/AP

Pro Bowl tackle Tony Boselli of Jacksonville was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee today and will miss the playoffs.

Boselli, considered one of the NFL's top offensive linemen, went down without contact on a running play Sunday in the third quarter of Jacksonville's 24-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

An MRI revealed that he had torn the ligament. The normal recovery period is about seven months.

"We've had our share of injuries and this is another," said coach Tom Coughlin. "Obviously, it's a huge blow to our team."

The Jaguars made Boselli the cornerstone of their franchise when they used the first draft pick in team history to select him out of Southern Cal in 1995. He didn't disappoint. He's the only All-Pro in team history and was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl this season.

With Boselli out of the lineup, Ben Coleman will likely move from guard to left tackle for the playoffs.

Coughlin said the injury obviously put a damper on the Jaguars victory Sunday, which gave them their second straight division title, home-field advantage through the playoffs and the NFL's best record at 14-2.

"It gives us another reason to focus," Coughlin said. "It's a shock today, but when the time comes, I think we'll be ready."

Coughlin said he did not blame the condition of the field, torn up after being used for the Gator Bowl on Saturday, for the injury.

"I don't think that particular incident was the cause of it," Coughlin said. "But I also don't think it was as good as it should have been for what was at stake."