Jets QB out with broken jaw after taking ‘sucker punch’ from teammate

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith had his jaw broken in two spots when he was on the wrong end of a punch in the locker room thrown by teammate IK Enemkpali, head coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday.

The Jets cut Enemkpali soon after the incident.

"It was something very childish," Bowles said before Tuesday's practice. "Something sixth graders could've talked about. I told them I wouldn't say anything, I'm going to leave it there."

According to NFL Network, Enemkpali leveled Smith when the quarterback put his finger in the 270-pounder's face during a heated exchange about money Smith owed, prompting the punch. The blow resulted in multiple breaks in Smith's jaw, which could make him a candidate for injured reserve with a return designation.

Smith will miss 6-10 weeks, Bowles said, "depending on the surgery they do and how he heals."

Smith said "My only goal is to heal quickly and get back to playing with my teammates so I can be the best quarterback possible for the Jets."

Enemkpali played defensive end at Louisiana Tech and was drafted in the sixth round in 2014 to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.

"It's something we don't tolerate. It's something we can't stand. You don't walk up to another man and punch him in the face," said Bowles.

The Jets' depth chart includes veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey with the Buffalo Bills. Fitzpatrick was limited in the offseason recovering from a leg injury.

Rookie Bryce Petty was drafted in April, but the Jets expected 2015 to be a borderline redshirt season for Petty.

Enemkpali played 40 snaps as a rookie. He was suspended in 2011 at Louisiana Tech for allegedly punching an off-duty police officer.

Smith posted an all caps message to Instagram, proclaiming, "ILL BE BACK."