New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest against the Buffalo Bills due to an ankle injury.
The team made the official announcement during the fourth quarter of the matchup at MetLife Stadium, according to Yahoo Sports.
Smith had experienced a turbulent afternoon before his final departure from the field.
He initially missed a series of plays while undergoing an evaluation for a concussion.
The veteran signal-caller managed to return to the game for one offensive drive during the third quarter.
However, the injury eventually forced him to exit the game for good, the outlet reported.
Prior to sustaining the ankle injury, Smith completed 13 of his 21 passing attempts for a total of 148 yards.
Following Smith’s exit, the Jets turned to fourth-round draft pick Cade Klubnik to take over under center.
Klubnik is now tasked with attempting to lead a comeback effort for the New York offense in the final minutes of the game.
The Buffalo Bills held a 24-12 lead with under six minutes remaining on the clock at the time of the announcement.
The game remains in progress as the Jets look to overcome the double-digit deficit without their starting quarterback.
The injury marks a significant setback for the team as they navigate the closing stages of the divisional matchup.
Further updates regarding the severity of Smith’s ankle injury are expected to follow the conclusion of the game.
Both teams continue to battle for position as the clock winds down in East Rutherford.
The Jets are currently struggling to find momentum on the offensive side of the ball following the quarterback change.
All eyes remain on the performance of the rookie replacement as he faces pressure from the Buffalo defense in the final stretch of play.