IRVING, Texas -- As if his career didn't have enough problems, Ryan Leaf is in jeopardy of being knocked out of a second season in three years because of an injury.

	Leaf

Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft, thought he was going to join his third team in six months on Wednesday until a wrist problem caused him to fail a physical with the Dallas Cowboys.

"It was an injury that concerned us enough that we couldn't make a decision to put him on the roster," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "I know he was disappointed. I don't know that he was surprised. There's no question he was surprised it would impact our decision as much as it did."

The injury bothered Leaf during his brief stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, causing him occasional pain and forcing him to miss two practices, coach Tony Dungy said. Dungy said finances were the reason the Bucs released him Monday.

"He did a good job for us," said Dungy, whose team plays Dallas in the season opener Sunday. "I think it's just a matter of getting in the right system and the right situation."

Leaf missed the 1999 season because of a shoulder injury. It was one of many, many things that went wrong during a three-year stay in San Diego that ended when he was waived in March.

Personality clashes with teammates, team officials and fans hurt left Leaf with a bad-boy image. On the field, he was 4-14 as a starter and threw far more interceptions (33) than touchdowns (13).

The Cowboys were interested in signing Leaf when the Chargers dumped him, but couldn't afford him. The dollars would've worked this time, but the wrist didn't.

Leaf's agent, David Dunn, said that once his client heals, there could be a third attempt to strike a deal with Dallas.

"I think Ryan thinks the world of Jerry and the Cowboys organization. My feeling is Jerry feels the same way about Ryan," Dunn said.

Dallas had a two-year contract ready for Leaf and had already prepared a locker for him. His name and number, 16, were written in black on a white strip of tape at the first cubicle inside the locker room. Three pairs of shoes with his number printed on the heel, a white practice jersey and a helmet also were awaiting him.

Leaf never even saw it. Around 3 p.m. Wednesday he was driven away from the team's headquarters. He ducked in the front seat to avoid being seen by photographers.

"Ryan was excited with the Cowboys opportunity and he couldn't be more disappointed about how it turned out," Dunn said.

The Cowboys were interested in Leaf as their third-stringer behind rookie starter Quincy Carter and second-year backup Anthony Wright.

"We felt we wanted to get a first-hand look at what we'd studied in the offseason," coach Dave Campo said. "It's a shame he didn't pass the physical, but there's nothing you can do about that."

Leaf's absence means third-string quarterback Clint Stoerner still had a job. He boarded a bus from team headquarters to Texas Stadium for practice.

"I don't know what's going to happen," said Stoerner, who had already been told he might be waived and added to the practice squad if not claimed by another team.

Carter and Wright are mobile quarterbacks, while Leaf is more an Aikman-style, drop-back passer.

Carter said as long as he does his job, he won't have to worry about who is playing behind him.

"In this business, you're never secure unless you throw three or four touchdowns on Sunday," he said. "I just need to keep working hard."

Although Leaf's image grew tarnished in San Diego, the folks in Tampa Bay said they had no problems.

"The guy we got was exemplary in terms of trying to get things done and working," Dungy said. "I think he was excellent in the locker room. Everything from that standpoint was an A-plus."

"He was definitely a team player; he supported everyone," said Bucs running back Warrick Dunn. "I think overall Ryan could be a good quarterback in this league. He just needs time, someone to teach him the game and to play the position."

Leaf went 7-for-19 for 81 yards with one interception in four preseason games.