Geno Smith Out with Foot Injury for Jets Preseason Opener

Geno Smith, named the New York Jets' starting quarterback for the 2026 season, will not make his preseason debut due to a foot injury, the team announced on August 14, 2026. The veteran quarterback was scratched from the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is listed as day-to-day.

Smith, who is returning to the franchise that originally drafted him in 2013, is making his first start in New York after a journey through four NFL teams over the past decade. The Jets acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade this past March. Head coach Aaron Glenn immediately designated Smith as the unquestioned QB1, solidifying his role as the team's starter. This marks a full-circle moment for Smith, who played for the Jets from 2013 to 2016 before moving on.

The injury occurred ahead of the Friday night preseason game against Tampa Bay. Initial reports cited "foot soreness," while a subsequent update specified an ankle injury. Coach Glenn had stated earlier in the week that starters would play, but the situation changed, and Smith was held out as a precaution. His absence created additional evaluation opportunities for the Jets' backup quarterbacks, including rookie...