It goes without saying that rookie wide receivers need everything to work their way in order to produce at a high level in their initial NFL season. It’s one of the toughest positions in football when making the transition from the college level to the professional ranks.
Unfortunately for New York Jets second-round pick Devin Smith, that transition was made considerably more difficult by news that he suffered broken ribs at camp on Friday:
WR Devin Smith suffered broken ribs. He will miss the majority of camp and is being held in the hospital overnight as a precaution.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 1, 2015
Smith, a standout performer during his Ohio State days, was in competition to earn the team’s No. 3 wide receiver job behind Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Now that he’s sidelined for the “majority of camp,” as reported by the Jets themselves, this is going to set back his maturation process a great deal.
It’s also likely going to have a negative impact on Smith building a relationship with presumed starting quarterback Geno Smith.
Photo: USA Today Sports