Geno Smith Injury Update: Jets QB Opts for Jaw Surgery After IK Enemkpali Fight

Days after suffering a broken jaw in a locker room altercation with former teammate IK Enemkpali, New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith has opted to undergo surgery.  

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, the former second-round pick made the decision after seeking out a second opinion, and he is expected to be on the shelf for six to 10 weeks.

Enemkpali was released by the Jets following the incident, but he was claimed by the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. Bills head coach Rex Ryan coached the former Louisiana Tech standout in his rookie season with New York in 2014.

In the aftermath of the situation, Jets head coach Todd Bowles had some stern words regarding Enemkpali's actions, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini and Adam Schefter:

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It had nothing to do with football. It was something very childish. He got cold-cocked, sucker-punched, whatever you want to call it, in the jaw. He has a broken jaw, fractured jaw. The team knows it's something we don't tolerate, something we can't stand. You don't walk up to a man and punch him in the face. You can call him every name in the book and point in his face and do whatever you want, but when you punch a man in the face, that's some serious stuff.

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According to Cimini and Schefter, the turmoil between Smith and Enemkpali stemmed from Smith owing the linebacker $600 as reimbursement for a plane ticket he didn't use.

Per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, a source who witnessed the fight believes Smith "deserved" to get punched after goading Enemkpali.

Shortly after suffering a broken jaw, the former West Virginia star posted the following photo and message on Instagram:

Smith will indeed be back eventually, but until then, the Jets are likely to lean on veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback with rookie Bryce Petty as the backup unless another veteran is signed.

Fitzpatrick had success in Buffalo under Chan Gailey, who is the current Jets offensive coordinator, but many involved with the Bills hoped Smith would grab hold of the starting spot and show improvement in year three.

He may still do that ultimately, but there is no guarantee the starting position will be available to him when he is finally healthy enough to play.

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