Jets' Devin Smith has partially punctured lung, broken ribs

By foxsports
Published

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Devin Smith had a painful start to his first NFL training camp.

The New York Jets rookie wide receiver has what the team called a ''partially punctured lung,'' as well as broken ribs, and is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

Smith was injured at practice Friday while making an impressive catch, and the team announced he would miss the majority of the remainder of training camp. The Jets confirmed Saturday that Smith also has the lung injury, but said it wouldn't affect the initial timetable for wide receiver's return.

Smith was hospitalized for a second straight night Saturday as a precaution.

''Hopefully he comes back sooner that that,'' coach Todd Bowles said of Smith being sidelined 4-6 weeks. ''But, it gives other guys the opportunity to play, you know? These types of things happen, and we want to get him back as fast as we can, but we want him to be healthy, but the other guys, it gives us a chance to take a good look at them.''

Smith, a second-round draft pick out of Ohio State, caught a long pass from Geno Smith that deflected off the hands of cornerback Marcus Williams. While Devin Smith was coming down, he was hit from behind by safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.

Smith held on to the ball, drawing big cheers from the fans, but stayed down for a few moments. He got up and was examined by trainers, who soon brought him to the locker room.

''That was extremely tough - freak accident,'' Geno Smith said. ''He had just made a great play and everyone was praising him. Devin is a guy who could make plays like that and to see him get hurt, obviously, he's a guy we expect to play and do well. It hurts us all, but we have other guys who have to step up.''

Smith is the leading contender for the No. 4 receiver spot behind Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley. T.J. Graham, Chris Owusu, Quincy Enunwa, Shaq Evans, Walt Powell, Austin Hill and DeVier Posey are among a large group of receivers expected to see more time this summer with Smith sidelined.

Bowles acknowledged that it's ''too early to tell'' whether Smith will be able to make a significant contribution at the start of the regular season. The coach did say that Smith's development will be slowed a bit since he'll be sitting out a while.

''I think it will catch up pretty quickly once he gets healthy,'' Bowles said. ''That's the main thing. He was getting a good grasp of it the past couple of days. Obviously, he studied over the summer.''

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