EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith left the game against the Buffalo Bills for the second time Sunday, first to be evaluated for a head injury and then for an ankle injury.
The Jets announced Smith was questionable to return in the fourth quarter because of the ailing ankle. It was uncertain when the injury occurred.
Smith had returned after missing the opening series of the second half while he was being evaluated for a concussion after taking a big hit just before halftime.
Rookie Cade Klubnik opened under center for the third quarter in Smith's place to make his NFL debut.
The Jets, who entered Sunday having been outscored 107-9 in the final two minutes of the first half in 26 games with Aaron Glenn as coach, had a promising drive just before halftime. But on third-and-4 from the 9, Smith rolled to his right and threw a jump pass toward the end zone that fell incomplete. Terrel Bernard smacked into Smith with his right shoulder as the quarterback was in the air, and Smith was on his back for a few minutes and looked at by trainers before heading to the injury tent.
With Smith out, Glenn opted to have Jason Sanders kick a 27-yarder on fourth down to cut the deficit to 10-6.
Klubnik was a fourth-round pick from Clemson and won the job to be Smith's backup. The Jets also have Will Levis on the practice squad.
Smith was 9 of 16 for 113 yards against the Bills before leaving the first time.
Klubnik led a scoring drive that was capped by Sanders’ 22-yarder that made it 10-9. Klubnik completed two passes for 39 yards and scrambled twice for 19 yards, putting the Jets in scoring position. With New York on the Buffalo 4 on third down, Klubnik’s pass to the end zone fell incomplete.
The Jets announced Smith had been cleared to return and was back in the huddle on the next drive for New York, which trailed 17-9.
But Klubnik came back in the game for the next possession as Smith headed to the injury tent. A few minutes later, he headed inside to the locker room.
Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. injured an ankle on New York’s first offensive play. Left guard Dylan Parham hurt a knee early in the second quarter.
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