Well, Joe Namath. Here’s your answer.
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith tore his ACL in Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, sources with direct knowledge of the situation told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport on Monday after the 26-year-old underwent an initial MRI.
Smith will receive a second opinion on Tuesday, according to Rapoport, but it looks like the young signal-caller’s season could be over as quickly as it began.
Smith, who replaced the struggling Ryan Fitzpatrick in New York’s 28-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, made his first start of the season Sunday against Baltimore. He completed 4 of 8 passes for 95 yards with a touchdown before suffering the knee injury in the second quarter.
It was Smith’s first start since the 2014 season, as Fitzpatrick took over as the team’s starting quarterback last season after Smith suffered a broken jaw in August when he was punched in the face by then-teammate IKÂ Enemkpali. Fitzpatrick played well during the 2015 campaign for the Jets, who finished 10-6 and fell just short of the playoffs, but he struggled to begin this season, prompting head coach Todd Bowles to turn back to Smith.
Fitzpatrick replaced Smith on Sunday following the injury and completed 9 of 14 passes for 120 yards with one touchdown. He’ll likely regain his starting role with Smith sidelined, though Bryce Petty, a fourth-round draft pick in 2015, is waiting in the wings.
Former Jets quarterback Joe Namath sent a pointed tweet Sunday questioning the severity of Smith’s injury. It was a bold move before we learned that Smith tore his ACL. Now, Broadway Joe really looks nuts.
Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images
