The New York Jets have been forced to look for depth at quarterback in veteran Tyler Thigpen after they lost quarterback Geno Smith for six to 10 weeks Tuesday after he was punched by linebacker IK Enemkpali in a locker room altercation that resulted in a broken jaw, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello. The result: Smith will miss at least 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw, while Enemkpali was cut by the team.
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Bowles said he was not aware of a festering issue between Smith and Enemkpali before the incident.
Bowles wouldn’t go into detail about the nature of the altercation, except to say: “It was something very childish, that sixth-graders could have talked about”.
Added cornerback Darrelle Revis: “I hold both of them responsible….”
When asked why he punched Smith, Bowles said that the media would have to ask the players. Smith, the team’s starter, will be replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the Jets acquired from the Houston Texans this off-season.
“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 New York Jets”, Smith said in a statement. “We’re football players, not fighters”.
“Geno and I let our frustration get the best of us, but I should have just walked away from the situation”, Enemkpali said. Enemkpali struck an off-duty officer and was arrested for battery of a police officer. On that night, Enemkpali had to be subdued first with pepper spray and then with a stun gun. Per court records, Enemkpali received a suspended jail sentence and was put on 13 months’ probation.
Meanwhile, the Jets are in need of another quarterback. Smith, entering his third season, required surgery to fix the injuries.
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Free-agent quarterback Michael Vick, who spent last season with the Jets, reached out to Smith via Twitter. Smith threw the first two interceptions of camp on Monday, an impressive stretch that had the quarterback and coaches thinking positively about his prospects for the upcoming season. With few viable alternatives available, the experienced Thigpen would be able to solidify New York’s depth and impart some wisdom about Gailey’s system to a rookie like Petty.
