Smith set to start for the Jets in season-opener.
Reports claim that New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is likely to be ruled out until Week 3, leaving Geno Smith as the starter for the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers on Sunday.
Sanchez was roundly criticised last season for his poor performances, and the Jets came into this year with real competition after drafting Smith.
However, after picking up a shoulder injury in pre-season, it is understood that Sanchez is likely to face a spell on the sidelines for several weeks as reported by NFL.com.
The 26-year-old is likely to make his comeback for the Week 3 clash with the Buffalo Bills, although it remains to be seen how Smith performs in his absence as he will undoubtedly now harbour hopes of becoming first-choice for the remainder of the campaign.
There has yet to be official confirmation of Sanchez’s absence for Sunday, but it is being widely reported that he will be missing.
It will come as a huge blow for the under-fire quarterback, who will now face a tough time fighting his way back into the plans of coach Rex Ryan.
Smith is likely to be allowed to learn from his mistakes in his rookie year, and as a result will be looking at an extended run in the offensive line-up with newly signed Brady Quinn acting as his back-up.
As suggested by NFL’s Kevin Patra, the $8.25m guaranteed remaining on Sanchez’s contract is arguably the only thing that has saved him from being cut to this point.
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