DETROIT -- Round 1 of the New York Jets' quarterback competition went to Mark Sanchez -- with an asterisk.

The embattled incumbent rallied after a terrible start Friday night against the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener for both teams, and rookie Geno Smith left with an ankle injury in the third quarter of the Jets' 26-17 loss at Ford Field.

Rookie Geno Smith left in the third quarter Friday night with an ankle injury. Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports

Smith rolled his right ankle while trying to turn upfield on a scramble -- a non-contact injury -- and he limped immediately to the sideline. He was examined by the medical staff and walked to the locker room. X-rays were negative, according to Smith, who said there are "no fractures, no breaks."

The injury didn't appear serious. Smith was limping slightly after the game, but he wasn't wearing a walking boot. He wore flip flops, a compression sleeve and an electronic stimulator. He said he hopes to practice next week.

"I was in complete disbelief" when the injury happened, said Smith, claiming he could've returned if it were a regular-season game.

Sanchez rebounded from an awful start. On his third pass, he underthrew a screen pass, and it was intercepted by rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. Later, another screen almost was intercepted, and that, too, likely would've gone for a touchdown.

"The rookie made an awesome play," Sanchez said of Ansah, claiming his intended target, fullback Tommy Bohanon, got knocked off his route.

Sanchez was lucky the game was on the road or else he would've heard loud boos from a frustrated fan base. He committed a league-high 52 turnovers over the last two seasons, prompting the team to draft Smith in the second round.

To his credit, Sanchez rallied the Jets to a long touchdown drive, finishing 10-for-13 for 125 yards. He orchestrated a seven-play, 80-yard drive out of the no-huddle, hitting a wide-open Jeff Cumberland for a 26-yard touchdown.

"Other than one crappy play, it wasn't too bad," Sanchez said.