NEW YORK — New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will be sidelined for 18 to 30 interceptions with two fractures in his jaw, the result of a locker-room altercation Tuesday morning with reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali.

“It’s tough for Geno,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “He was primed to really put up big numbers this year. But we have to move forward as a team. No matter who is behind center, I’m sure we’ll still play Jets football.”

Smith had posted big turnover numbers during his first two seasons with the Jets, but in the 2015 season he was expected to threaten the impressive interception numbers put up in a Jet uniform by Joe Namath, Brett Favre and Vinny Testaverde.

"Being mentioned in the same sentence as all-time turnover kings like those guys, well … it would mean I'd be remembered forever,” Smith said at the start of training camp. But now, team doctors say Smith will miss as many as 30 turnovers while his jaw heals.

"Could Geno come back midseason and still put up 30 turnovers?” said Bowles. “Yes. I think he has that kind of ceiling. But it will be tough even for him.”

Off-season acquisition Ryan Fitzpatrick said he us ready to go in Smith's absence.

"I think I've shown during my career that I can turn the ball over as good as anyone else,” said Fitzpatrick. “I seriously doubt I'll play well enough to keep the starting job, so they'll be forced to go back to Geno Smith, which is both sad and hilarious. I'm just happy to contribute to the Jets quarterbacking history.”