Geno Smith will miss 6-10 weeks after getting sucker punched in the jaw by defensive end IK Enemkpali in the New York Jets locker room, according to Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. Smith reportedly has a broken jaw and will require surgery. Enemkpali has reportedly been released.
Geno Smith out 6-10 weeks with broken jaw after teammate punched him
Geno Smith was reportedly sucker punched in the Jets locker room by defensive end IK Enemkpali.
Head coach Todd Bowles said that Smith got “cold cocked”:
Bowles: "He got cold cocked, sucker punched whatever you want to call it, in the jaw."
— Seth Walder (@SethWalderNYDN) August 11, 2015 Todd Bowles won’t talk about what happened but only said it was "something sixth graders could have talked out."
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) August 11, 2015 Bowles added that the altercation was “something you don’t tolerate” and “childish.“ According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Smith held up a finger to Inemkpali during an argument that became over-heated.
The cause of the altercation was reportedly money. Boomer Esiason was the first to make that suggestion:
Bottom line if you owe somebody money pay your debt. Don't be surprised if you get punched in the face if you don't.
— Boomer Esiason (@7BOOMERESIASON) August 11, 2015 Then NFL Network reported Albert Breer cited source who told him the same thing. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was apparently able to secure the full back story. Enemkpali claimed that Smith owed him money for plane tickets:
At the heart of the dispute between former Jets LB IK Enemkpali and quarterback Geno Smith is $600 that Enemkpali believed Smith owed him, per league sources. Enemkpali purchased a plane ticket for Smith to attend his July 11 football camp at Pfugerville High School in Pfugerville, Texas. However, days before the camp, a person close to Smith was killed in a motorcycle accident in Miami and Smith did not attend Enemkpali’s camp, per sources. After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets’ quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase a plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he did not. Enkempali confronted Smith today about the money and the confrontation ended in a punch and broken jaw.
Enemkpali appologized for his role in the incident.
Ex-#Jets LB IK Enemkpali: "I apologize to the Jets organization, coaches, teammates & fans. Geno & I let our frustration get the best of us"
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2015 More from Enemkpali: "I should have just walked away from the situation. It was never my intention to harm anyone." He regrets his actions
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2015 There is no word yet what further recourse will be taken beyond Enemkpali’s release. Smith could potentially be punished for his role in the altercation. Enemkpali, meanwhile, could face assault charges. Bowles wouldn’t rule out the possibility, though he said the decision will be Smith’s.
Though the Jets signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the offseason, Smith was named the Jets’ starter by offensive coordinator Chan Gailey this past May. Smith has struggled at times since being thrust into action as a second-round rookie in 2013. He has an 11-18 record as a starter and has thrown 34 interceptions to 25 touchdowns.
Still, there was hope he would take another step forward in Year 3, especially after the Jets made concerted efforts to add weapons like veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall and second-round rookie deep threat Devin Smith. Smith’s earliest return would be after the Jets’ season-opener.
Fitzpatrick is presumably the favorite to take over the offense until Smith gets healthy, though rookie Bryce Petty may also be an intriguing option to the team.
Inemkpali was a sixth-round draft pick in 2014. He appeared in six games last season and recorded two pass deflections and two tackles.
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