NFL reviewing Jets’ locker room punch of quarterback Smith

It took just one destructive punch to rattle an entire franchise.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith will miss six to ten weeks with a broken jaw after second-year linebacker IK Enemkpali punched him in the face.

“It had nothing to do with football”, coach Todd Bowles said.

The regular-season opener at home against Cleveland on September 13 is only five weeks away.

Not that anybody is feeling much sympathy for ex-Jets linebacker IK Enemkpali, cut by the organization nearly immediately after he lost his cool and slugged Smith in the locker room Tuesday.

“The team knows it’s something we don’t tolerate”, Bowles said. “You don’t walk up to another man and punch him in the face”. Smith chose to remain behind to attend funeral proceedings and was apparently going to reimburse Enemkpali for the unused plane ticket that had already been purchased and could not be refunded, but Enemkpali said the reimbursement never occurred.

With starting quarterback Geno Smith out, the New York Jets are looking for a temporary replacement to beef up their QB rotation in the early part of the season.

Fitzpatrick has played in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s system, putting up solid numbers under him in Buffalo from 2010-12. “That’s from prior knowledge as well as present day”. Smith – who had looked strong at training camp – was slated to be the starter.

That means extra work in particular with receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who were developing a solid rapport this summer with Smith. “But at the same time, you’ve got to move forward”, cornerback Darrelle Revis said. “I deeply regret and apologize for my actions”.

Smith, entering his third season, will require surgery to fix the injuries.

“A lot of people are saying you don’t punch a guy over that amount of money”, Clark said.

It’s not yet known if Smith will press charges against Enemkpali. Their backup from last season, Michael Vick, is still available, but according to NFL.com, neither the Jets nor Vick have any interest in getting back together.