MKRob Sports

Jets running back and kick returner Leon Washington signed his one-year contract tender Thursday.

Washington met with the media Thursday and said he was happy to be back after spending the last two months working out in Florida and entertaining other offers from NFL teams. He had been tendered at the second-round level by New York.

A busy offseason for the Jets, including the addition of LaDainian Tomlinson to the backfield, has Washington excited for the upcoming season and a return from a broken right leg that ended his 2009 campaign after just seven games.

Washington suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula on his first carry in a Week 7 contest against Oakland. He had surgery immediately thereafter and continues to rehab the injury.

Washington’s agent has maintained through the media that a sign-and-trade scenario similar to what played out Wednesday with the Dolphins’ acquisition of Brandon Marshall from Denver is not in the cards.

The 27-year-old change-of-pace back came into his own late in the 2008 season and finished with 448 rushing yards and 355 receiving yards to go with eight total touchdowns.

This in addition to his noted ability in the return game, with the Florida State product having taken four kickoffs back for touchdowns during his four-year pro tenure. He has a 25.5-yard average in kick returns for his career in addition to a 9.4-yard average in punt returns.

In seven games during the 2009 season, Washington amassed 462 yards from scrimmage. In 55 career games, Washington has 1,782 rushing yards, 969 receiving yards and 15 total TDs.