Jags Lose RB Stewart For Season

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Stewart has a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will likely miss the rest of the season.

After an MRI taken Monday proved inconclusive, a diagnostic arthroscopy performed this morning revealed a significant partial tear of the ACL.

Stewart, who rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the Jaguars' first two games, will find out soon a decision on further treatment and rehabilitation.

"I'm disappointed for James and his family," said Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin. "He was off to a great start for the 1998 season. While this is news we did not want to hear, our players and staff wish James a speedy and complete recovery. While this is a setback, we will regroup and go forward with renewed purpose."

Stewart injured the knee when he was tackled by linebacker Peter Boulware on the Jaguars' third offensive play in Sunday's 24-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

Rookie Fred Taylor, the ninth overall pick in the 1998 draft, replaced Stewart and rushed for a franchise-record 128 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown.

The Jaguars signed Stewart to a two-year contract worth $3.2 million before the start of the preseason. He rushed for 115 yards on 26 carries in the season-opening win at Chicago and gained 103 yards on 26 carries in the win over Kansas City, becoming the first Jaguar to post consecutive 100-yard games.

The 26-year-old Stewart was a first-round pick in the club's inaugural season of 1995 and holds club records for rushing yards (2,020) and touchdowns (24).

Stewart became the first player in 24 years to rush for five touchdowns in a game in a 38-21 win over Philadelphia last Oct. 12.

The Jaguars are off to a 3-0 start for the second straight season and lead the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) by one game in te AFC Central.

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