DETROIT — The Jets did something normal on Thursday: They played a football game without incident or swirling drama. Alas, they opened the preseason in underwhelming fashion.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the new starting quarterback, played one series, completing 2 of 3 passes for 12 yards in leading the Jets on a 41-yard dive that culminated in a 34-yard field goal by Nick Folk. Fitzpatrick was replaced by the rookie Bryce Petty of Baylor.
The schemes were simplified for Fitzpatrick, as he had only one day of practice with the starting team. Geno Smith had been groomed as the top quarterback, until everything changed on Tuesday when he was sucker-punched by the reserve linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali in the locker room before Tuesday’s morning practice.