Jets QB Geno Smith out 6-10 weeks with broken jaw after fight

According to coach Todd Bowles, Smith is out 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw after he was punched in the face by linebacker IK Enemkpali in the locker room Tuesday morning.

By Ryan Wilson

Aug 11, 2015 at 9:34 am ET • 1 min read

So much for Geno Smith winning the Jets starting quarterback job. According to coach Todd Bowles, per reports, Smith is out 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw after he was punched in the face by linebacker IK Enemkpali in the locker room Tuesday morning. Enemkpali has since been released.

Bowles said Smith was "sucker-punched," adding, "You don't walk up to another man and punch him in the face."

So what precipated the fight?

What provoked the altercation? Bowles: "It was something very childish that 6th graders could have talked about."
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) August 11, 2015

Todd Bowles called it childish on part of IK, who hit Geno and was released
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) August 11, 2015

Let's just say Todd Bowles is one unhappy man.
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) August 11, 2015

Turns out, Enemkpali has a history, which the Jets knew about, and they used a sixth-round pick on him anyway.

In college IK Enemkpali was convicted of battery on a police officer. Jets drafted him anyway, but cut him for battery on a quarterback.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) August 11, 2015

Next up for Smith: Surgery.

Geno Smith will have surgery, per Bowles. Enemkpali released by team. Bowles just made stunning announcement in briefing w/ press. #NYJ
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 11, 2015

Next up for the Jets: Moving forward with another quarterback. That means veteran journeyman and offseason signing Ryan Fitzpatrick is the likely favorite to be the starter for the forseeable future. Rookie fourth-rounder Bryce Petty is also on the roster.

As recently as an hour before the news broke, the Jets were tweeting about Smith's progress at quarterback.

Gailey: "[Geno's] a dangerous football player because of his speed and elusiveness in the pocket." pic.twitter.com/7Oh88yfyUI
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 11, 2015

Now it looks like the team will be without Smith until October, a development which left wide receiver Brandon Marshall sad.