NFL Insider Report: Geno Smith Out With Torn ACL

According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport the New York Jets believe Geno Smith has torn his anterior cruciate ligament based on preliminary MRI results.

Sources: Based on initial MRI, belief is that #Jets QB Geno Smith tore his ACL. Incredible. Players in the locker room are learning about it

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2016

If this report turns out to have merit then Geno Smith's 2016 season is over.  In addition, given that he will be a free agent in 2017, Geno Smith's Jets career is likely over.  Further, given this was likely his last, best chance to prove he can be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL, it may well be that Geno Smith's starting career is over.

If Smith has in fact torn his ACL, this would conclude one of the most star-crossed Jets careers I have witnessed in half a century of being a fan.  While some of his misfortune was often self-inflicted, this player just always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (cue missed meeting at the movies joke).  He sank like a rock on draft day.  He was thrust into a starting role well before he was prepared for it.  He had a terrible team to work with, and horrible targets to throw to.  He faced one tough defense after another in 2013 and 2014.   When the Jets finally brought in talent, Geno was perhaps headed to a starting role on a talented team, then had his jaw broken and watched Ryan Fitzpatrick take the role and run with it.  When Geno finally gets another chance, with several winnable games to get him into the flow of things, he tears his ACL.

No matter how you feel about Geno the player, this is a tough break for Geno the person.