Jeff Smith has emerged as a valuable contributor as one of two gunners (Justin Hardee is the other) on Jets special teams. But he sustained a concussion when he was involved on Wednesday in a car crash while he was on his way to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Smith did not practice this week and will not play against Tennessee at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
"He's one of our best gunners, so it's a big loss for us," special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. "He's done a heck of a job in there, he's caused fair catches and he gets down on the field in a hurry and he cuts off the field a lot and does a nice job. He does the job, a good job in all of the phases he does play in. Unfortunately, he hasn't had a bunch of reps because of some of the other phases, because we haven't had the reps we usually do. He does a nice job and just hope he's OK."
Smith, 24, has seen limited duty at wide receiver this season, having been targeted four times with two receptions for 48 yards. At Denver last week, Smith played seven snaps (30%) on special teams.
The Titans come into the game with a change on their special teams, signing punter Johnny Townsend to the active roster because of a groin injury to Brett Kern.
"He kicks a different ball than [Brett] Kern does," Boyer said. "But I still think that he's a very effective guy, he's got a big leg. Certainly, if he's in there\, then there's some adjusting and adjustments to be made. Either way, both of them are solid players, that's for sure. Kern is one of the best in the league in my opinion."
"He's one of our best gunners, so it's a big loss for us," special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. "He's done a heck of a job in there, he's caused fair catches and he gets down on the field in a hurry and he cuts off the field a lot and does a nice job. He does the job, a good job in all of the phases he does play in. Unfortunately, he hasn't had a bunch of reps because of some of the other phases, because we haven't had the reps we usually do. He does a nice job and just hope he's OK."
Smith, 24, has seen limited duty at wide receiver this season, having been targeted four times with two receptions for 48 yards. At Denver last week, Smith played seven snaps (30%) on special teams.
The Titans come into the game with a change on their special teams, signing punter Johnny Townsend to the active roster because of a groin injury to Brett Kern.
"He kicks a different ball than [Brett] Kern does," Boyer said. "But I still think that he's a very effective guy, he's got a big leg. Certainly, if he's in there\, then there's some adjusting and adjustments to be made. Either way, both of them are solid players, that's for sure. Kern is one of the best in the league in my opinion."