UPDATE: Smith was able to return to the game after clearing concussion protocol.
Jets quarterback Geno Smith left Sunday’s game against the Bills to be evaluated for a concussion. New York has not announced a status as of yet, and backup QB Cade Klubnik took over. Buffalo led 10-6 at halftime. The Jets, 2-7 entering the day, could ill afford to lose their starter.
Under the NFL’s concussion protocol, a player showing possible signs of a head injury is examined by team medical staff and an independent neurotrauma consultant, and a player diagnosed with a concussion cannot return to the game. An evaluation is not a diagnosis, and if Smith is cleared, he could come back, while a diagnosis would put him in the multi-step return-to-participation process. The Jets play next Sunday, November 22, at the Chargers, which leaves a week to clear the protocol.
Geno Smith Injury History
Smith has one documented concussion in his NFL career. On August 14, 2021, as the Seahawks’ backup quarterback, he started the preseason opener at Las Vegas and was sacked from the blind side by Raiders defensive back Nate Hobbs on the fifth offensive play. Coach Pete Carroll said Smith seemed OK right after the hit, but the symptoms worsened, and he was ruled out after going 4 of 10 for 46 yards. He cleared the protocol within a week and was available for the next preseason game against the Broncos.
The Jets have struggled this season, and Smith has been the primary quarterback for a team coming off losses to the Chiefs and Raiders. The key updates are the team’s decision on his status, whether he is cleared in the first half, and whether he is in the protocol this week ahead of the Chargers game.
