New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is sidelined due to a broken jaw he sustained in a locker room altercation last week, but it appears the worst-case scenario absence won’t be realized.
Initially, reports suggested the third-year shot-caller could be out 6-10 weeks and potentially start the season on short-term injured reserve. However, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said Smith is “likely” to avoid the IR.
Mike Maccagnan says short-term IR for Geno Smith is a "possibility"… But "would not be likely" #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) August 18, 2015
If Smith indeed remains on the active roster and returns early on during the 2015 season, it’s a favorable situation for the Jets.
Despite Smith’s less-than-stellar NFL career to date, he’ll have an opportunity to showcase his skills while surrounded by a plethora of weapons. Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Devin Smith and Jace Amaro give the offense a versatile collection of pass-catching options.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is a decent backup but certainly isn’t a long-term answer for the franchise. Smith might not be the quarterback of the future, but 2015 will show whether or not that’s the case.
The earlier Smith comes back, the better. Because, if he shines, New York as a leader on the field. If not, the Jets can confidently say Smith isn’t the guy and then prepare to draft a quarterback next year.