Coach Rex Ryan announced Thursday that the rookie will start as quarterback over Mark Sanchez in the upcoming game.
“We’ll see how far we take him into this game this week,” Ryan said. “Mark will play also. I think (Smith) has looked good and seems like the ankle is obviously a lot better than it was this past week. I’m excited to see him play.”
The second-round draft pick has worked with the first-team offense all week during practice. Smith has been in a quarterback competition with Sanchez, but did not play last Saturday in the Jets’ preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars because of an ankle injury.
“We want to see him play,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “Hopefully, he’ll get the chance to turn it loose and let his natural abilities show up, and his natural style. I think, and I almost know, that he’s worked so hard that he’s there mentally.”
Smith rolled his ankle in the Jets’ first preseason game but reportedly bounced back this week with solid practices as the ankle showed improvement.
“I’m proud of Geno last week pushing through it,” Mornhinweg said. “This week, it was still biting him just a little bit, but he was significantly better.”