When you get your jaw busted apart like New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith did when he took a punch from former teammate IK Enemkpali, maintaining a proper food intake could be a problem.
As a result, depending on what he’s able to slurp threw a straw for the next several weeks, Smith could drop some substantial weight. Speaking about the quarterback’s condition, per NJ.com, head coach Todd Bowles said he’s concerned about Smith’s frame:
“Hopefully he doesn’t lose too much weight. You get stuff (plates and screws) in your jaw, I think it’s going to be tough.
“I don’t know exactly what he’s eating. I’m assuming — and I’m not a doctor, so don’t quote me on this — but you can drink protein shakes, or something from a straw.”
If Smith does drop some pounds, he’ll need to regain them before stepping back onto the field. Granted, there’s the flip side. Perhaps Smith could pack on bad weight if he’s consuming too many sugary shakes and not getting enough exercise while he’s on the mend.
The third-year quarterback is likely barred from certain types of physical activity, considering all that hardware packed into his jaw to hold his bones in place.
Of course, either way Smith’s weight shifts might not matter once he returns. Smith will have to fight Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting role, since it’s currently the veteran’s job to lose.
As it stands, the timetable for Smith to return has not changed. He’ll return sometime in the next five to nine weeks.