New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is out 6-10 weeks after being sucker-punched by IK Enemkpali, who has subsequently been released by the team.
Conor Orr of NFL.com broke this unbelievable news.
Todd Bowles tells reporters IK Enemkpali hit Geno Smith in the jaw. He broke it, Enemkpali was released and Geno is out 6-8 weeks.
— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) August 11, 2015
ESPN’s Adam Schefter followed up with this update.
Am told Jets' QB Geno Smith's jaw was broken in two places. Now out 6-10 weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2015
Word coming out of the locker room is that the two men were in an argument “that wasn’t being diffused,” when Smith put a finger in Enemkpali’s face. Then, disaster.
Word is Geno Smith put his finger in the face of IK Enemkpali’s during and argument that wasn’t getting difused. Then came the punch
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2015
Are you kidding me?
As if the Jets needed any more of an uphill climb in this, Todd Bowles’ first year as head coach, now the team will have to make do without its starting quarterback to open the season.
Smith had been making positive strides during camp, and many suspect this is his final chance to prove to the Jets brass that he’s capable of carrying the franchise forward in the years to come. Now, all that work is flushed down the toilet with one ill-advised swing.
Enemkpali was a third-string linebacker drafted in the sixth round last year out of Louisiana Tech. It’s safe to say he might have trouble finding work from here on out in the NFL.
Here is what Bowles said about the decision to release Enemkpali, via Brian Costello of the New York Post.
Bowles: "It’s something we don’t tolerate. It’s something we can’t stand. You don’t walk up to another man and punch him in the face." #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 11, 2015
Amen to that.
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