With Geno Smith expected to miss a large chunk of the regular season, veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will step in to direct the New York Jets’ offence.
Smith’s jaw was broken by former during a locker room altercation on Tuesday.
The confrontation was reportedly over Smith at the time being unable to repay $600 for a plane ticket which Enemkpali had paid for the quarterback to appear at his football camp in July, which Smith did not attend.
The 24-year-old signal-caller is expected to miss at least six to 10 weeks, while Enemkpali – a sixth-round draft pick in 2014 – was immediately released by the Jets.
Smith said in a statement: “My only goal is to heal quickly and get back to playing with my teammates so I can be the best QB possible for the NY Jets.”
In the absence of the third-year player, New York will hand the reigns of the attack to 32-year-old journeyman Fitzpatrick.
The Jets acquired Fitzpatrick in a trade with the Houston Texans in March to likely fill their back-up role. Now, as he’s done with five teams throughout his career, Fitzpatrick will step in as the starter, beginning tonight in New York’s pre-season opener against the Detroit Lions.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever find myself in a position to start again,” Fitzpatrick said. “I understand these opportunities are few and far between and I understand my
opportunities in this league might be somewhat limited now. I’ve got to take advantage of every day.”
Fitzpatrick holds a 33-55-1 record as a starter, but is coming off one of his better seasons with the Texans, who he guided to a 6-6 mark in his 12 games last year. A broken leg in December ended his campaign and Houston decided to move on in the offseason.
Prior to Smith’s injury, Fitzpatrick had not taken reps with the first-team offence, but familiarity with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey from their three seasons spent with the Buffalo Bills helps.
“If I didn’t have confidence in myself, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you guys,” said Fitzpatrick, who was drafted in the seventh round out of Harvard in 2005.
“I’d be on a vacation with my five kids, sailing off into the sunset with a career nobody thought I would’ve had. For me, I’m not satisfied with what I’ve done. There’s so much more I want to improve upon.”
Even when Smith gets healthy, Jets coach Todd Bowles won’t automatically hand back the starting gig.
Bowles said: “If the other guy is playing well and the boat is going right and there are no waves and everything is going and we’re 4, 5, 6, 7-0, yeah, you’re not coming back to start.”