Geno Smiths status for second Jets preseason game remains a mystery

Jets coach Aaron Glenn would not say whether Geno Smith will start at quarterback Friday night against the Steelers in the team’s second preseason game.  Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.Smith missed last week’s preseason opener with ankle soreness.

Cade Klubnik started in his place against the Buccaneers and played two series.Smith returned to practice Monday and has practiced all three days this week. Glenn has said he wants all the starters to get reps, but he also must manage Smith’s pain.

Glenn acknowledged that it is a tough decision.“It is, but I think the thing that we do quite a bit is make sure we have game intensity in practice, and I think our guys do a really good job of that,” Glenn said.“It’s not just with Geno, it’s any player: Breece [Hall], Garrett [Wilson], Double-D [Demario Davis], any of those guys.

As we get to the end of it, we want to make sure we make the right decision on playing the guys or not.“Then sometimes, the guys want to get out there and play.

I’ve never been a coach that was afraid of injuries because it’s a part of the game, but I also want to be a coach that’s smart and makes sure I get our guys ready for Week 1.”Glenn said he has not seen any limitations in Smith in practice this week.If Smith can’t go, it will be another chance for Klubnik to strengthen his hold on the backup job. “I just think there’s soreness,” Glenn said of Smith’s ankle.

“I think any player at this point knows that something is going to hurt at some point.He’s a competitor and he wants to make sure he gets those reps in.

The thing is that we want to be smart too about how we go about doing things when it comes to him and any of our players.”CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers was back on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since he collapsed during a joint practice with the Buccaneers on Aug.11.

Stiggers remains in the c...