When an athlete has surgery, the rule of thumb is typically to take some time off to let the injury heal before preparing for a return. 

Apparently New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith didn't get that memo.

Just two days removed from surgery to a fix a jaw that was fractured after he was sucker punched in the locker room by a teammate this past week, Smith was seen tossing the pigskin around with a friend, according to the New York Post.


The West Virginia product made it clear to reporters that he was already making strides in his recovery.

"I feel great. You see me throwin' right?" Smith told The Post.

While that may be encouraging news to Jets fans, it was not news that head coach Todd Bowles wanted to hear. This comes as no surprise, especially given the fact that Smith was named starting quarterback in May.

"He shouldn't be doing that right now," Bowles said following practice on yesterday."We handled that internally, we had that discussion."

The Post also asked Smith if he had a message for Jets fans regarding his most recent injury. Smith responded: "Get ready for me to come back."

Well, if Smith wants to make a speedy recovery and uphold that comment, he may want to take it easy for the time being. That is, assuming that Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't steal the spot from Smith.

Ryan Hagerty is the New York Jets Expert for About.com. He can be reached on Twitter (@hags_ryan), or via email (rhagerty21@gmail.com). 

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